My question is not advocating any type of harm to self or others. It is instead a personal testimony from myself and of the Apostle Paul that we should not fear death.
Allow me to first give my testimony. I have had two open-heart surgeries. The first one was on an emergency basis. Those around me noticed how calm I was as I was facing death. I give credit to the Holy Spirit. I realize that I was a winner no matter what happened. If I died I would be in heaven with my Lord. If I lived, I would be on earth with my loved ones.
The apostle Paul offered an interesting statement in 2 Corinthians 5: 8 when he said, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” Paul said the same thing that whatever God wishes of our life or death, on this earth or in heaven we are blessed either way.
Unfortunately, it is so easy to be enamored by the things of this world and forget that we have the opportunity of laying up treasures in heaven that will last forever. It behooves us to have the right perspective between heaven and earth. We are here on earth to do God’s will and bring glory to him. We go to heaven to enjoy his fellowship and blessing.
If we have a proper balance between this life and the next, we will have no fear of death. For that matter the things of this world are quite temporary and of less importance when compared to eternity. Remember that our life is in his hands always. He breathed into Adam the breath of life. That breath of life is ours to enjoy temporarily until God withdraws it so that we might join him.
Praise God for his assurance of eternal life! Praise God for the blessings of this earth. Praise God for the sustaining power he gives us while traveling on this earth. Praise God for the mansion Jesus is built for each of us. Praise God for future joining together with loved ones and friends who have gone on before.
Paul wrote to a weak and fumbling church (in first Corinthians 15) that had many questions which now is a great encouragement to us:
“So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Christian Writer 