It’s a morbid rendition of David Letterman’s “Top Ten List,” an accounting of the world’s greatest fears: public speaking, death, spiders, darkness, heights, social situations, flying, open spaces, thunder, and confined spaces. Michael Klepper nailed it in the title of his book, I’d Rather Die Than Give a Speech. Public speaking edged out dying as the greatest phobia…but only slightly.
Why is dying one of the world’s worst fears? Some people fear the unknown. They want to know what happens in the moment after their last breath. Judgment? Nothing? Bliss? Sleep? People fear the unknown, and they see too many unknowns about death.
It’s a Wonderful Life
Some people are afraid of what life will be like without them. Most living things share a common desire to stay alive. In It’s a Wonderful Life, George Bailey experiences what life would have been like without him. He sees how he impacted many lives. Will the world notice when I am gone? It strokes our egos when we consider our self-worth among friends and family.
A Gateway to Eternity
Some apprehension about dying seems natural, but a better understanding of death may help alleviate some of the fear. God created man to live forever and planted him in Eden with access to the tree of life. Adam introduced death through his sin (Rom 5:12). Now, death is the devil’s power over man (Heb 2:14). While dying wasn’t God’s original plan, He uses it as the gateway to eternity (Heb 9:27). For those prepared for the new heavens and new earth, death need not be feared.
Death is not the cessation of existence because our spirits are eternal. Death is our existence on steroids. It frees our spirits from the shackles of sin.
The Best Way to Go
Some still fear death, wondering if it will be painful or comfortable. Which is the best way to go? Speculation about how death feels causes many people to pick their preferred method of dying. Personally, I hope to die waist deep in Paul’s letters, watching him blot ink and tears from the parchment. I want to be sitting with Jesus, hearing for the first time again his plan for man’s salvation. I want to look into Jesus’ eyes and feel the sting of my sin and renew my faith. Then, in that perfect moment…die. But if that isn’t how I die, I resolve to accept death in any form because I know that no terror, pain, or sorrow compares with heaven (Rom 8:18).
Fear vs. Freedom
Instead of fearing death, we need to embrace it. Death brings gain (Phil 1:21). Freedom. Hope. Eternity. We gain all these in death if we first live for Christ.
Death brings victory. When the devil crucified Jesus through the hands of calloused hearts, he thought he had won. But God gave the victory to Christ—a victory extending to all of Jesus’ allies (Heb 2:14).
Death brings Jesus. Paul welcomed death, saying, “My desire is to depart and be with Christ” (Phil 1:23). Paul shows an imitable anticipation of heaven and the Savior.
My Heart Aches
The brevity of life, the dangers of living, the calamities of nature, and the evils of man constantly threaten life. This picture looks bleak, but not to Christians. We welcome death with its blessings. It’s a cold, dark, momentary embrace that quickly fades into God’s radiance.
Klepper said, “I’d rather die than give a speech.” I say, “I’d rather die.” Even now, my heart aches for home. I stay for God and to reach people with the gospel. But when death comes knocking, I hope to smile, give him a hug, and follow him home.
Preaching Minister