I believe in life after death, but I have to admit that the thought of dying scares me or the thought of someone I love dying scares me. Maybe if I had more faith I wouldn't feel this way?
2007-09-19 10:19:13 · 39 answers · asked by ♥Enya♥ 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I do believe in Jesus and know I am saved, but I still have fears.
2007-09-19 10:20:49 · update #1
Yes I do fear death, though not as a conscious obsession. As others have suggested, much of the fear of death is fear of the unknown. I've worked quite a bit with the dying in hospice, and can say from my experiences there that when the rigors and physical unpleasantness (and embarrassment!) of the process are eased as they are in hospice, then I have yet to see anyone who was afraid when he or she was actually confronted with their own death. So, in a way, acknowledging one's mortality is part of maturity. Don't most children believe the world began the day they was born, and that the world will end when they die? Like most big events in life, death itself is something that can only be understood and appreciated by each one of us when it comes.
Personally, I was helped to accept my fear by a friend who suggested that as God gave us free will, that His will for us is to be of maximum use in life and to get the most enjoyment from it -- and that the goal of achieving PERFECT faith leads either to doubt and disappointment, or big-headedness and detachment from others. Neither of these extremes is very useful or enjoyable for us or our friends!
So, as a way of accepting God's will, he suggested trying to aim for maintaining a balance between faith and fear -- and so, to remain knowledgeable of the need of God's divine and unearned aid (Grace!) as we go through the challenges of each day -- and so not to be so prone to disappointment or judgmental of others. It may sound airy-fairy to some, or over-practical to others, but such a point of view turns out to be a good guideline, for me anyway -- that is, when I remember it! You know, we are as humans quite as susceptible to floating away on a balloon of over-inflated "faith" as we are in danger of falling into the depths of self-centered fear. Maybe this goal of balance is akin to what the Buddhists call "The Middle Path". If so, so much the better! Sometimes I think of a tightrope walker who can become graceful (and even entertaining!) when he learns to fully accept the condition of what he does.
2007-09-19 10:42:04 · answer #1 · answered by titou 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't fear the thought of dying a natural peaceful death, since I believe that dying is just the beginning of the next phase in the journey that we are all on as living beings. Considering death in that frame of thought, makes me actually look forward to it since I believe that what awaits me after this life is something even more amazing, like being a part of everything that is infinite and unknown in the universe, connecting with god and knowing the love of those who have gone before me.
2007-09-19 10:37:41 · answer #2 · answered by sustasue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I do fear death. I fear the process of dying and also missing out on things, not being able to spend time with my family. I would love to believe that there is life after death and that I will see family members that have passed,but Im not sure either way. Therfore I live life to the full and spend quality time with my family. I work hard and play hard.
2007-09-19 10:41:36 · answer #3 · answered by hycoupe001 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think we are sometimes afraid of the 'process' of dying, if it is painful, and you don't want to feel that kind of pain. Death we do not need to fear if we are in the Lord. I do understand what you mean though. I myself would rather not lay and suffer in pain, but many do. I have faith that when I die, I will go be with the Lord, but my faith is not going to make a fatal type pain, (if I was in a car wreck) make it hurt any less. From what I have seen from the few people I have seen die, is that there is a calmness that comes over them. I believe it is the presence of our Father. So just to let you know, though I am a Christian, I can see where you are coming from, and you have a right to state your fear. Fearing death we need not do. Fearing pain, many people fear that. We are human, and it is human nature to fear hurting, and pain.
2007-09-19 10:28:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't fear dying, I'm just a little scared about how it'll happen. If its being shot through the head, fast painless, or peaceful while sleeping, than its fine, if its freezing to death or burning to death or something painful like that than i'm scared.
Either way its gonna happen some time so, I guess we should just try not to be too scared when it comes.
2007-09-19 10:26:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I fear the process of dying, but not death itself...i can relate getting up and going to work in kind of the same way. I hate sometimes having to get up and getting dressed and going to work, fighting traffic along the way....But once i get there, i most of the time have a great time and i do my job well, and i talk with so many people and it great.
I think thats the death will come...but, HOLD ON TO YOUR HATS, once we get there,thanks to our Lord, and there Lord too, if they want......It Will all be worth it, and playing with the angels, and climbing the mountains of Heaven, and Flying High like Eagles...
2007-09-21 04:12:04 · answer #6 · answered by sharky 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fear is the unknown. Know the Life in you in all It's fullness. The Kingdom of Heaven is within is pointing in the proper direction. Life is eternal but you must discover the root or the basis of It in you. Then there will be no fear. Also less identification with body and mind!
2007-09-19 10:31:59 · answer #7 · answered by Premaholic 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I"m agnostic, and don't know. However, I don't fear death. What good does fear do? Let's say you play baseball. Does fearing getting hit in the head with a pitch help you to hit it better? No. Fear is crippling. So live life without fear, regardless of what you believe.
2007-09-19 10:23:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are normal, dear one. Most believers don't necessarily fear death, they fear the 'process' of dying. Suffering is not somthing anybody looks forward to. Pray that God will give you peace over this subject. Remember, He has promised 'I will be with you always, even to the end." Jesus keeps his promises - Look to the Cross!
2007-09-26 05:28:39 · answer #9 · answered by Mercedes 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am an atheist and no I do not fear death. I'm not exactly happy about the prospect, but I do not fear what I cannot control. I'm more ticked off that one day, my scuba diving days will be over than I am about dying.
2007-09-19 10:22:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋