After talking with panic sufferers over the years, I have learned that many people’s panic attacks are rooted in the fear of death. It’s unknown. It’s out of our control.
Death is not an easy subject to deal with. For years, I buried it with alcohol and other worldly schemes. In fact, I buried this fear of death so deep in my mind that I felt I had somehow attained immortality…until the fear resurfaced in a panic attack.
To face my fears, I began reading what God had to say about death and eternity in the Bible. I read about heaven:
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, the 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 people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true'” (Revelation 21:1-5).
Death is just going home. A home of rest. A home of peace. A home where there is no more fear, no more pain. You see, God longs for us to come home.
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints” (Psalm 116:15).
The death of God’s children is precious to him. Precious! What a powerful word. To God, our homecoming is precious.
Prayer: Father, I believe that you sent your only Son to die for my sins and that he rose again on the third day. I know that by simply believing this and accepting Jesus into my heart, I will live with you in heaven forever after my physical death. Remove the fear of death and replace it with a longing to meet you face to face.
