Can We Face Death Without Fear?

by Joel Hendon⁽¹⁷¹⁾ Red Star

It is human nature to dislike the thought of death. Some people refuse to make final arrangements simply because they do not want to face the fact they are going to die sometime even though they know that it is coming. I know, I have lived a lengthy life and I have had a couple of close calls. When I was about 16 years old, I and another boy were riding on the back of a 1942 army surplus Chevrolet pickup truck. Foolishly, we were standing leaning forward against the back of the truck cab with our arms laying across the top of it. My friend's brother was driving the truck and my brother was riding in the cab with him. I was on the left side. Suddenly the driver swerved quickly to the right and I peeled off to the left. There was no more than 1 or 2 seconds until I was plowing up the pavement. But, as I was going over, I felt sure I would die. It was very frightening and I'm thankful it only lasted a couple of seconds.

Fortunately, I did not land on the top of my head. Somehow, the backside of my left shoulder and the back of my head took the brunt of the contact and I flipped a time or two. But I rose under my own power with no broken bones. My shirt was shredded and bloody, the back of my head skinned and raw, as was my shoulder. I had small skinned places almost everywhere on my person, including hands, wrist and one ankle. But I can still remember the fright as I went down which would have turned into panic had it lasted longer, I'm sure.

At two other times I have been in circumstances which made me consider dying. One was when I was about to be put under for open heart surgery. I was anxious but not terrified. The other was when I had a prostate problem and the doctor detected a "spot" on the gland and took a biopsy. He said they found a "couple" of malignant cells from the biopsy. Well, the problem I had was with me two or three years and I felt as if it had been plenty of time for it to have spread anywhere. But after surgery to remove the "spot", they found no more malignant cells!!

During that period though, I talked to my wife and told her that if it had spread and that I was advised for radical surgery or extensive chemotherapy or radium treatments, I would refuse. So, there was a period of a few days of concern, but I didn't worry too much. I was, still am, old and have had a great life, so I felt I would prefer to let it end rather than undergo debilitating treatment and then still die.

I have been a "Christian" since I was 18 years old, at least in name, but for the past 15 or so years, I have devoted my life to trying to do the very best I can to live the life of a true Christian. Now there is no doubt in my mind that I am closing in on death and I find it not difficult at all. I may start to panic when I learn that it is imminent, but I hope not.

Ecclesiastes 12:7: "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."

I have known that verse for many years and also the following two by the apostle Paul:

2 Corinthians 5:8: "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."

Philippians 1:23: " For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better."

And perhaps the most comforting ones I know are the following two:

Proverbs 8:17: I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

Psalm 116:15: Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints

Webgazine Columnist.

Article submitted Thursday, April 09, 2009 & read 31 times.

Please log in to leave your comments.

» left by Jane Bullard (3 years 16 days ago.)

Dear Joel, this is a beautiful article. What a tumble that was from the bicycle from behind the truck! I picture it on a country road. God preserved your life. We hope He keeps you here for quite a while longer.

» left by Joel Hendon (3 years 16 days ago.)

Thanks for the comment Jane, but I wasn't on a bicycle...I was on the back of the truck, leaning over the cab. I consider my self very fortunate to be alive.

4-1-2-0-1-ADWR

Most Recent

Sponsors: