Heaven (Part 2)නියැදිය

Overcoming The Fear Of Death

When I was a little boy, shadows in my room used to terrify me. I’d lie there staring at the shapes on the walls, convinced they were something dangerous. My imagination would run wild, and sometimes I’d beg to leave the light on just to feel safe.

Looking back, it wasn’t the shadows themselves that scared me; it was the unknown. The fear of 'what if?' can feel overwhelming, especially when we’re young.

That same fear of the unknown is often how we approach death. What happens next? Will it hurt? What about the people left behind? Where have they gone? These are the questions that leave us feeling lost and unsettled.

I can still remember my first encounter with loss. It was my hamster, and I cried my heart out. As small as it seems now, it was my first taste of grief, and it hurt in a way I didn’t know how to explain.

And then there was Patch. When I was about five, my uncle gave me a puppy, and we were inseparable. Patch used to meet me at the school gate every day and walk home with me. He was more than just a pet; he was my best friend.

But for some reason, my mum decided to give him away. I still don’t fully understand why, but one day, I came home, and Patch was gone. We were together for about five years. I was devastated. I never heard anything more about him.

Even though he hadn’t died, I felt the ache of losing something that I had really loved. That was the first time I realised you could feel grief for reasons other than death.

Later, as a teenager, I began to think about death more seriously. I’ll never forget walking down the street one day after leaving my grandparents’ house.

Out of nowhere, I had this overwhelming thought: one day, they won’t be here anymore. It hit me so hard I started crying as I walked. The thought stayed with me, lingering in the back of my mind.

When my grandfather passed away years later, I was 26. He’d had a stroke in December and remained unconscious for weeks before he passed in January. As a family, we had time to prepare, but it didn’t make the loss any easier.

My grandmother’s death was completely different. She went to bed one night and passed away peacefully in her sleep, just weeks before her 90th birthday. That kind of sudden loss leaves no time for goodbyes; it takes your breath away.

And then in 2024, my mum passed away just before Christmas. Her passing was expected, as she’d been ill for a long time, but it still brings up so many emotions. Five years earlier, she’d faced death in a very real way. The doctors told us she wasn’t likely to survive an anaesthetic during surgery because of her medical condition. Yet somehow, she pulled through, and we were given extra years with her, which her family was all thankful for.

Loss is something we all face, whether it’s the death of a loved one, the loss of a pet, or even something as simple as a dog being given away. It leaves a gap, a reminder that life isn’t always in our control.

But here’s the hope we have in Jesus: death doesn’t get the final word.

In 1 Corinthians 15:54-57, Paul writes, '"Death has been swallowed up in victory. 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! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ' (NIV).

What Paul is saying here is incredible. Sin, the brokenness that separates us from God, is what gives death its sting. But Jesus dealt with that on the cross. He defeated sin, and by rising again, He defeated death too.

Before I became a Christian, I couldn’t make sense of death. It felt final, overwhelming, and inescapable. But when I gave my life to Jesus, everything changed. I began to see death differently, not as an end, but as a doorway to eternity with Him.

That doesn’t mean losing someone doesn’t hurt. Grief is real, and it’s part of loving others. But as Christians, we grieve with hope, knowing that death isn’t the end of the story.

The memories of Patch and my hamster remind me how much we wrestle with loss, even in the small things. But the hope of Jesus shines a light into the darkness, showing us that death doesn’t have the power it once did.

If you’ve ever felt the fear of death or the ache of losing someone you love, know this: Jesus offers peace. He promises that nothing, not even death, can separate us from His love (see Romans 8:38-39).

Take a moment today to reflect on that truth. Thank Him for His victory over death, and let His promises bring you peace. Because of Him, we don’t have to fear the unknown. The unknown has already been conquered by Him!

Reflect

• Have you any fears about death?
• Are you feeling the pain of losing something or someone you love, even though the loss may have been many years ago?
• Jesus offers us peace and a promise that we can be with Him for eternity. Could you share your fears, doubts, and heartaches with Him today?

Pray

Jesus, thank You for conquering death and offering us peace in the face of loss. When fear or grief overwhelms me, remind me of Your victory and that nothing can separate me from Your love. Help me trust You with every unknown, while knowing my eternity is secure in You. Amen