FEAR – Everyone deals with fear in different ways. Living eventually brings fear at some points in every ones life.
Fear for some it is just an “unpleasant emotion” for others it is a “frightful emotion” in either case it is brought on by something that presents a serious threat to our life. But fear seems to be a part of our psychological make up. Psychology considers fear “a vital response to physical and emotional danger; it has strong roots in human evolution. If people didn’t feel fear, they couldn’t protect themselves from legitimate threats” (psychologytoday.com).
Now I am not one to believe in evolution, but I do know that fear can help protect us from doing stupid things BUT it also can act like a roadblock that limits our possible responses in life.
One of the greatest fears that we all face at one point in life is the fear of death. No matter how hard you try to live your life focusing on a healthy lifestyle, physical death is a reality; we will all face death.
We naturally think of Death as a limit. We think Death is “the end”. But do we have to fear death? Is it possible to live your life without the fear of death? Is it possible to give up death like we would give up candy or red meat? Can we imagine living as if death is simply a perceived ultimate limit? Is it possible to live without the fear of death?
Living Without Fear of Death – Are You Crazy?
Have you ever watched a skateboarder? I have seen the feats that they perform in mid-air, they seem to defy death. They appear to have no fear! Watching a video of some of these skateboard athletes makes me believe that they live their life with “No Fear”. “No Fear” is a logo for one of the top skateboard marketers.
It takes Courage to life and perform like that as if you have no fear.
But when I think about living without fear of death I am not encouraging people to life the skateboarders lifestyle.
I am thinking about ways that everyday Christians can live without fear of death – Giving up the limited possibilities that fear of death brings to your thoughts and lifestyle choices.
Is Giving up the Fear of Death a Christian Possibility?
Anyone who reads the Gospels regularly should notice one thing that changed the lives of the followers of Jesus. That one thing was the Resurrection. The resurrection was an “earth-shattering” game changer in the life of the believers in Christ.
Something happened to those who witnessed the resurrection, it caused the followers of Jesus to believe everything that Jesus had ever told them; believe it with such dedication that the rest of their lives they had a degree of courage that made skateboards look like scary cats. Witness one of the testimonies of the resurrection–
John 20:3-8 (NIV) – “So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)”
This year I will be celebrating my 70th Easter. I was born on Palm Sunday and I have no doubt that my Catholic parents took me to Easter service when I was just 1 week old. For that matter, they took me to many other Easter Services after that.
I confess, that like the disciples, I did not understand the full implication of Easter for much of my life. Like many of you today we think Easter is important because others have said it is important.
In fact, the whole world, at least the greatest part of it knows that today is Easter Sunday – But many, even those who celebrate Easter still do not get it!
Are you one of those who get it? OR are you still on the sidelines wondering what is so important about Easter, there is so much I still have left to do this week. – I have grass to cut today.
Easter Sunday – Brings Courage to overcome fear – Even Fear of Death.
It has been 2000 years since this event occurred – It did occur, there is so much testimony about the first Easter that there should be no doubt that the first Easter did happen, Jesus did rise from the dead that first Sunday morning so long ago.
Yes, many do not believe, but that does not make what happened less earth-shattering!
For what happened almost 2000 years ago changed all history. Until that time no one had ever risen from the dead! For Mary Magdalene, Peter and John that day changed their whole outlook on life and death!
Mary started the day early, doing something she felt was important – She was going to finish the part of the burial process by anointing the body – Jesus had been placed in the tomb without that, in a hurry, because of the limitations of the law there could be no work done during the Sabbath!
But when she arrived the tomb was empty – She didn’t understand so she ran to tell the disciples.
They too ran to the tomb, thinking that someone stole the body. But something was drastically wrong, the body was gone but the linen that Jesus was wrapped in was laying there as if he had disappeared inside of the wrap. And the cloth that covered his head was set aside folded neatly!!!!!
That one momentary look changed the beliefs of Peter and John forever – they believed.
Believing does not mean we understand everything!
Peter and John witnessed something that changed their views on what was possible. The empty tomb combined with the empty burial linen and folded cloth was a sign that caused them to believe that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead.
They believed – YET “They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead”.
They did not let thier lack of understanding all the implications that came with that belief stop them from running off and sharing the good news.
Belief is a beginning, where you think differently about things! When you believe that Jesus did rise from the dead that first Easter morning then you begin to start seeking understanding! You dig deeper into scripture – seeking understanding.
From that point forward your life begins to transform as the word of God renews your mind.
A whole new life meaning opens up when you believe that brings with it Endless possibilities.
Belief is different for each one of us. Some believe with a simple visible sign others need something more.
Look at Mary – she never went inside – after the disciples left she just stood there crying! For all I know they hurried back to tell the others leaving Mary there still in doubt.
Then the most miraculous thing happened. As she looked into the tomb there were 2 angels sitting there! They asked “why are you crying” – they knew something that Mary did not understand yet!
MARY WAS DISTRAUGHT – still thinking that someone had stole Jesus’ body. Then the impossible happened – He who had died stood there – Jesus was asking – “Why are you crying”.
Mary didn’t, get it yet, she thought this was the gardener, the one who tended the area of the tombs.
Still crying she pleads – “if you have taken him away please let me know where you put him”.
All Jesus had to do was speak her name “Mary” and in an instant Mary knew who he was!
Like anyone, who all-of-a-sudden met someone who had passed away, Mary greeted him with an unending hug.
She clung to him as any of us would do if we could just meet those who have passed from this life to the next – we would hug the stew out of them!
She believed and after hearing what Jesus told her, she hurriedly ran back to the disciples proclaiming the good news of Easter – I have seen the Lord! He is risen indeed.
Easter was an earth-shattering game changer that changed the whole outlook of the disciples and all who followed Jesus – All who believed in Jesus –
They lived the rest of their lives believing that death was not the end! They no longer feared death! They gave up death! They lived the rest of their lives without the fear of death!
Why – Because they believed that in Jesus we too will life forever with God and all other believers who have passed on before us!
Death is not the end – Life is limitless in Christ Jesus!
The Fact of the Resurrection – A Cause to look for Limitless Possibilities.
Believing means that we can live from this day forward-looking to the limitless possibilities that Eternal life brings.
Before the resurrection the disciples feared death – to them death was the end, they even scolded Jesus when he told them that he had to die at the hands of the Religious leaders.
After the resurrection the disciples no longer feared death they believed that through Jesus there were endless possibilities! They believed what Jesus said in Matthew 19:26 – “With God all things are possible”.
“What man is unable to do apart from God, he can do through the power of God.”
- With God, we can learn to forgive. Forgiving someone is the hardest things to do. Without God’s help we struggle to forgive, thinking more about getting revenge. But with God help we can learn not only to forgive others but also to pray for them and actually care for them.
- With God, we can learn to give, even to give sacrificially! For the work that God does in our heart brings a desire to help with all our abilities.
- With God, we can learn to put the needs of others before our own needs. To reach out to others with a from of courage that only God can bring through our belief. Courage that is death defying.
With God all that once was impossible becomes a new reality in the life of a believer.
Easter Celebrates Death-defying Fearlessness
Believing means that Every Easter and Every Day is a time to celebrate what Christ has provided for those who BELIEVE.
When I was a child my thoughts of Easter were of all the candy, easter bunnies and eggs galore that I would get. But now I realize that it is not about all of that, not about dressing up and attending a special service, it is about the real fact that Christ did something for us that we could never do for ourselves.
THINK ABOUT IT – Almighty God, the one who created all things, chose to give up his own rights to restore his own creation
Easter Brings Endless Possibilities With No Fear Living
When I think about Easter and the fact of resurrection I now realize that Jesus brought so much hope. Hope that death is not the end but the beginning of the next step of our journey. Before Christ thoughts of death were full of fear of what’s next, with the only option as nothing. After Christ, I can see that death is like stepping through a doorway to the most beautiful, amazing new world called heaven.
Heaven – In the Bible there are many accounts that speak to the truth of heaven, they boggle the mind with thoughts too marvelous to comprehend. Many have written about their thoughts of heaven and there have been several movies made giving someones visual ideas of heaven. Yet I firmly believe that the day we step through the doorway to heaven will be so much more than the human mind can imagine.
The beauty, the loved ones who have passed on before us, all the saints that we have read about, they all will be there to greet us along with Jesus our Savior. That thought alone brings so many wonderful thought that no matter what my day is bringing, no matter if things are going right or falling apart, that I know that the end in not the end but a new part of my journey that will continue forever.
Jesus made a way to take this step – it comes when you believe, just like Peter, John, Mary, and all the disciples and followers of Jesus before us BELIEF causes us to think in new ways about the greatest fear “death” no longer viewing it as a roadblock but only a stepping stone to Eternal life. Jesus did it all for us. We only have to believe.
Because of Jesus we have hope! Hope that no matter where we come from, no matter how bad we have lived or how many stupid things we have done, there is HOPE through Jesus, He can carry us through whatever life brings without fear.
That is the way I want to live; without fear.
I truly hope something that is written here brings you hope, hope that will dispel any fears and help you life your life looking to Jesus as the author and finisher of your faith.
Please feel free to leave a comment here and if this article has blessed you share it with your friends and family on Facebook or twitter.
Thank you for reading and may God bless your day.
Ray
Fear in any capacity will limit our lives, and sadly there are many that live in constant fear, such as sticking to a job they may not enjoy in favor of pursuing a passion due to fear of failure or fear of having to change their lifestyle. I can tell you this; upon giving up fear in most circumstances, I’ve accomplished things I never thought I would. To live life without fear means being free, and with freedom comes a barrage of limitless possibilities at every turn. I haven’t mastered fear of death yet, but finite fears have been put under the bridge.
Thank you for this this article and God bless you.For i to have lived in doubt and in fear.And not just the fear of death.
Fear of action, fear of failure, and many more.But when one accept´s that fact,everithing slowly start´s turning for the better.
I love posts like this because it helps me to remember what is important.
NOTE. I still stumble and fall, I am still sometimes and eaten alive by my fears.
I don´t even have the word´s for it ,
But trust in God and His Son,even when things don´t make sense to you at the moment.
Happy Easter brother and good work
So thankful that this article spoke to your heart. Thank you commenting it is an encouragement.
Ray
When i think of fear of death, you must only keep balance. If you worry about death so much you won’t do the things you want to do. On the other hand, if you are reckless you might jump into death sooner too. In both cases death comes faster.
Of course for Christians death is just the beginning of eternity. But even Christians who read the Gospel and other religious books, that fear of death doesn’t disappear. It’s a continuous fight on this earth and that’s why there are celebrations to remind you of that. If it was easy, there would be no need for someone to encourage you and help you.
As for Resurrection, in the beginning not even the Apostles believed that Jesus was resurrected. Well, we all know Apostle Tomas. If the Apostles themselves tell you that resurrection of the dead is real, people even at their time had a hard time believing them. Let alone now after 2000 years where is so much information you don’t know what to believe.
That’s why Church of Christ exists in this earth. To remind people frequently that the death of the body isn’t the end of the road.
Jesus doesn’t force anyone to believe. Those who believe something you can see it from what they do and say. It’s the proof.
Fear can be crippling I agree but sometimes its a mix of anxiety in there too which in my opinion is worse than just being scared of something/someone. I think these kids or people that do those death defying acts are adrenaline junkies but it certainly would be nice to live without that nagging voice in the back of your head and for some of at the front of your head.
I am a follower of Jesus, have been my whole life apart from some of my teenage years when I thought I might practice “wicca”. I still fear death but not what comes after death, the reason I fear death is because I would be leaving behind three pieces of me. My three beautiful Children and I can’t stand to think of a day I go on without them or they try to live without me, they are my life on this physical world.
I do have faith though that God has a plan for me and my Children and that he would never do any harm or let harm come to us that wasn’t a part of his master plan.