What is it about…DEATH?

Death is inevitable (according to the Bible).

Many fear it.

Some people fight against it fiercely, whilst others embrace it willingly.

Vocabulary used to describe it includes such words as ‘foreboding’, ‘uncertain’, ‘mysterious’ and ‘final’. Imagery used to depict it is ugly, scary, and dark.

Is it really death that we fear, or is it what happens after? Or perhaps we fear what may sometimes happen before; such as pain and suffering from grave illness/sin?

The Bible often refers to death as ‘sleep’ or ‘rest’. Neither of these terms conjures images of dread for which we ought to fear. In fact, both describe a respite from work, an opportunity to relax and rejuvenate. So why, then, should I fear death?

Among other deaths, I have been a witness to my own mom’s passing, which has left me with many unpleasant memories. And whilst I believe that ‘theoretically’ we shouldn’t have any fears, the sad truth is that if our pain and suffering from something debilitating could end with either uncertain medical treatment or certain death, we may most likely choose the former, even though certain death would give us ‘rest’. What an enigma!

Is it that we are pre-conditioned to fear death and fight against it at all costs? Is it a part of our DNA so there’s no avoiding the fear?

Often, I feel that I may not ever be ready to die because pain and illness are sometimes horribly unbearable. But, if I had a choice in the matter, I would want to die quickly and painlessly. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), when it comes to my deciding how, when and where I die, the choice is not really mine.