Believers fear or anxiety over death
Fear of Death even though a believer
Q: For the last few months I've been experiencing really in-depth thoughts about death and what it means to die. This is not in a suicidal way, I don't want to die and I'm not experiencing any depression along with this. BUT I am experiencing a lot of anxiety and fear regarding death.
I'm saved, I know we are promised eternal salvation, but I can't shake the fear of "what if there truly is nothing after death." The thought of leaving my loved ones behind and there being a chance that it's "just black and void" at the end is terrifying to me. Also the thought that I only have one chance at this life (and only one chance to experience things) feels really overwhelming lately.
Again, I'm saved and love Jesus. I do believe in salvation and the afterlife, but for some reason in the back of my mind there are these nagging thoughts that I can't shake. How do we truly know? Personally, I'm not sure there's a way for us to truly know what comes after our last breath.
Has anyone else had these thoughts or feelings? Is this from God or am I anxious for nothing? Any Scripture to help ease the anxiety?
A: We can know. God's Word tells us. Of we doubt it then we distrust God as Eve did.
Perhaps it means you need to have deeper faith/trust in God and grow to know Him more deeply so your thoughts are more solid on this, so concerns fade & you have a renewed joy & peace.
This book can help you be free from the fear of death
And this video on death.
This may also be a help. It is important to solidify your faith.
Here are verses & reminders too:
1 Corinthians 15:55-57
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Remember that the reason death exists is because of sin. Jesus destroyed the power of death for the believer. While the consequence of sin brings death, the fine has been paid and the victory over sin death and Hell has been dealt with by Him. So there is nothing to fear. Jesus is with us in life, walks with us now and when we step through deaths door. Our focus should be on joy and longing towards arriving there (in due time) so we can see our Saviors face & evermore be with Him in his presence.
Romans 8:22-23: For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pains together until now. And not only they, but also ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
2 Corinthians 5:2: For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation from heaven.
Isaiah 25:8: He will swallow up death forever; and the Sovereign Lord will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.
Psalm 23:6: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
2 Corinthians 5:8: We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
Philippians 1:23: I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.
Revelation 21:1-4: Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There will be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
If we don't trust God based on what he has told us in & by His Word, and hold to the evidences from Scripture, then we are calling God a liar and saying He is untrustworthy. But believers believe not based on flipant hope but on solid truths and from Scripture we can see God always keeps His promises, is always faithful and never lies or sins.
So get in the Word and read it and grow closer to God so you hold fast to these truths.
The other thing I noticed was yiu seem to be a desire to do things in this world, what I am not sure. So here's guidance on that.
1. If you mean you want to sin and go the way of the world then you need to examine yourself to see if you really are saved, because many profess but few are saved. False conversion abounds today and you dont want to die and find out you were just a idolatrous moralist.
2. If you mean you want to be able to enjoy the good things here on earth while there's time, then know two things. If God wills it for His plans and to bless you (as his child) then you will be able to do those things (whether pleasurable, or ministerial for God). If there are things you want to do that dont happen then it wasnt in your best interest for God to say yes to those things. As His servants we are here to serve him and not our desires. Time here is short. But it doesnt mean those kinds of things might not be given to us in the millennial kingdom or in eternity on the new earth.
I would love to explore the ocean, without having scuba stuff hindering me. Perhaps in my eternal body in the millennial kingdom God will grant me that. Or my desire to see beautiful scenic places, and enjoy delicious foreign foods like from all over Korea, Italy and France. Though we will be busy at that time for Christ, with lots of serving work... and will be in full righteousness having shed this body of sin, to where no longer care about or desire those things. But it would be lovely to think even in eternity such things could be enjoyed. We have no idea the wonderful things the Father and Jesus have prepared for us in eternity. It is exciting to think about [righteously] since our thoughts are endless about this blessed future... it will all be a surprise.
Romans 8:18: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
Revelation 21:2: "And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."
Revelation 21:1: "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also, there was no more sea." [Sea- in Israel meant turbulence, disaster, uncertainty & storms in life, so its alluding to peace here]
Eternal Life and Presence with God:
John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
1 Thessalonians 4:17: "Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord."
Revelation 21:3-4: "And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them as their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’"
New Heavens and New Earth:
Revelation 21:1: "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also, there was no more sea."
Perfect Bodies and Eternal Joy:
1 Corinthians 15:53-54: "For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’"
Revelation 7:15-17: "Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger more nor thirst more; nor will the sun beat on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
John 11:25-26: "Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, yet shall he live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?’"
DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?
I hope so.
....And I hope this has encouraged you. 😊
Related Resources
Who Is God
Replacing anxiety with peace
Resources for Growing Believers
