Is fear of death or thinking about death a bad thing?

Psalm 90:12Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.

Colossians 3:1-3Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven. . . . Think about the things of heaven.

2 Corinthians 5:4While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life.

Fear of the unknown is natural, but obsession with it is not healthy. Fear of death can be useful when it draws us closer to God and causes us to make every day count for him. It is helpful to think of death as a beginning, not an end. It is our entrance into eternal life with God.

Philippians 1:21For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.

For those of us who are afraid of dying, it could be that we don’t fully understanding what happens at death. It may be an indication of a weak relationship with God, a misunderstanding of heaven, a lack of perspective about how this life affects the next, or a lack of trust in God’s promises. The good news is that the Bible offers hope and answers for all these things. When we are at peace with God, we will not fear death. Take time to learn about heaven from the Bible. Trust God’s assurances of eternity and apply yourself to knowing and serving God more and more. The more real God is to you, the less fearsome death will be.