“I see a place we have to look at. ” Cancer, this was not the diagnosis I expected to receive when I was young about to start a family. Immediately, my mind was filled with questions: how am I going to tell my wife, what will it be like if I die?How much will the treatment cost?
In the days that followed, there were no words. It helped that the diagnosed cancer had a cure rate of 95%, but I would lie if I said it eliminated my concerns. A 95% healing rate is not a 100% cure. Would I be among the few “unfortunate”?How was it possible to keep my face impassive and tell my wife that “everything will be fine” when I had no control over that?at least in the short term.
- Do babies.
- Teenagers.
- Young mothers.
- Middle-aged parents.
- Adults die every day?Death doesn’t respect people.
- It is not entirely true that the only certainties in life are death and taxes.
- You can avoid taxes.
- If you’re willing to spend time in jail.
- You don’t have to pay the tax collector.
- Death.
- On the other hand.
- Is certain.
- Except for those who are alive when the Savior returns to consume his kingdom.
- No one will leave this world alive.
Why are we so afraid of death? For non-Christians, the answer is simple: no matter how much they suppress truth through injustice, whether atheism, agnosticism or false religion, they cannot escape God’s awareness that they have broken divine law and deserve hell.
Christians are also afraid of death and disease. We certainly know that we should not and we are not telling anyone that we have those fears. Obviously, we know all the good things to say about death. God is sovereign. He has a good goal in my pain. The Lord can teach and sanctify my family, friends, and myself through the process of suffering and death. However, we often say these things because “we have to say it,” not because we are completely convinced. I was guilty of that. In fact, we’re all guilty of it.
Christians are not afraid of death and disease for the same reasons as non-Christians, because we know that Christ has a home for us in heaven (John 14:1-3); rather, we fear losing control. We make sure against pérdida. de our assets. We organize our routine to be more productive; in general, we enjoy happy and fulfilling relationships listening to others and giving ourselves; but, despite our best efforts, we cannot escape death and disease.
We’re afraid to suffer, too. Nobody wants a terminal illness, nobody wants chronic pain. Nobody wants to lose their mental faculties.
In many ways, it is right to fear death and suffering. Since God created the universe? (Genesis 1. 1?2. 4), death and disease are intrusive. They are here because of sin, and they will have disappeared into the new heavens and the new earth. Until then, however, we must live with our fear of death and disease. How can we glorify God in this way?
I don’t have all the answers, but I hope I can offer help. First, we need to know why we’re afraid of death and disease. If you fear death because you are not reconciled with God, then you must reconcile today by putting your trust. only in Christ. When you trust him, you will present yourself to the judge of all, clothed in the perfect righteousness of Christ, and he will receive you in his kingdom, who promised to give eternal life to all who believe in Jesus.
Second, admit your fears for God and for others. I do not understand all the reasons why the Lord allows us to suffer. I know that he uses our pain to conform to Christ, Confessing our fears gives people the opportunity to pray for us and encourage us. We must keep our eyes on Jesus, not our sickness. This allows us to take away each other’s burdens and fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6. 2).
Third, help make your church a place where people can honestly admit their fears. Talk to your leaders about what you can do to create a church culture where people can find help if they or someone they love faces the shadow of death and disease. Participating in grieving support groups, inviting suffering families to eat, there are no limits to what can be done.
Fourth, confidence in the sovereignty of Dieu. La death and disease is not surprising. He wrote every day (Psalm 139. 16), so He always fulfills his good purposes for us.
Finally, ponder God’s promises until they become part of your own soul. “Though I walk in the valley of shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; your fall and your fall comfort me” (Psalm 23. 4) Because for me I am sure that the sufferings of the present time cannot be compared to the glory that is revealed in us?(Romans 8. 18). Why does our light and momentary tribulation produce for us an eternal weight of glory, above, every comparison?(2 Corinthians 4:17) These words of life comfort us on dark days.
Four years and two children later, I’m cancer-free, but death is always before me and all of us. May we face the fear of death with our own courage, children of God.
By: Robert Rothwell. © 2013 Ligonier. Original Ministries: Fear of Death and Disease.
This article is part of the October 2013 edition of Tabletalk magazine.
Translation: Vin-cius Silva Pimentel. Review: Vin-cius Musselman Pimentel. © 2015 Faithful Ministérium. All rights reserved. Website: MinistryFiel. com. br. Original: 7 Fears of death: death and disease.