Don't be so Afraid of Dying that You Stop Living

I was watching an old episode of Survivor the other day. One of the players mentioned that he had been so afraid of dying that he had stopped living. This comment really struck me. I reflected on it for some time. As I approach my 60th birthday, my immortality has been more on my mind. I think about how much longer I will live, as if I truly have any idea, or any control over this. This thought runs two ways. One way is to be prepared, making sure everything is in place, but this really holds true at any age. We don't know how long we are going to live, so having a Will; our wishes for a funeral; life support wishes; or any other desires made known, seems like a logical thing to do. 

My second thought runs towards the illogical. It kind of runs towards the being so afraid of dying that I stop living. Crazy, I know! My fear doesn't really come from being afraid to do things because I might die, or does it? Here is what I find happening. I start thinking that I'm not going to live much longer, so maybe I should start getting rid of some things. Why have a big house (my house is not big), or so much stuff that the kids will just have to get rid of, or deal with? Maybe, I should stay home, because I definitely don't want to get sick. Of course, many of us are staying home more because of COVID, but it is the worry behind it that can become extreme. 

Listening to the guy on Survivor made me realize that maybe, in a sense, I am living life the way he was. Maybe, I am thinking so much about dying that I am not living. That is not the way God wants us to live our life. First of all, God does not want us to be afraid. 

In Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) we are told not to be afraid. 

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) tells us about the fruits of the Spirit that we as believers can have in our life. While the topic of this passage refers more to warding off the desires and passions of the heart, I can see that my fear has kept me from truly having the peace and joy that I pray for.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 

I realize that my feelings stem from fear and lack of control, so I cling to 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV).

7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

I don't want to stop living life because I am afraid of dying. I want to live each day to the fullest and appreciate the blessings that God has given me. And, when the day does come, I have the comfort of knowing I will be with my Father in heaven. 

I pray that you too will work on living life to the fullest. Live the life that God has planned for you. Don't give into those fears. 

God Bless!