Crippling fear of death

[Guest]

I would love to get counseling, but I am a student on a very low income and I can't afford the sessions... Thankfully though I have a youth pastor who likes to meet with me and talk me through things, also my small group leader has been sending me verses every day and praying with/for me.

Beloved, It's Jesus

Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

Luke 7:22

Trust HIM

Praying!

[OneLight]

Yes, Joe ...

Revelation 3:18

I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

[O'Dannyboy]

Bible Truths to Conquer the Fear of Death

Matthew 14:24-33

But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. Shortly before dawn Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter answered him, "Lord, if it's you, order me to come to you on the water." Jesus said, "Come!" So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he noticed how strong the wind was, he became afraid and started to sink. He shouted, "Lord, save me!" At once Jesus reached out his hand, caught him, and asked him, "You who have so little faith, why did you doubt?" As they got into the boat, the wind stopped blowing. Then the men in the boat began to worship Jesus, saying, "You certainly are the Son of God!"

Not long ago I realized the significance of this event and the telling of it. When we accept/receive/submit to Jesus we invite him into our boat. When we have done so the waters will calm. Just as Peter began to sink the same happens to us. When we doubt and are fearful we become weak because it is our faith that is our strength. Understanding this I begin to imagine God as a huge mirror amplifying our very being back at us. When our faith is weak then so are we and when we fear we become even more fearful.

Psalm 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup runneth over.

When we love we receive love in greater proportion. We are taught that with but the faith of a mustard seed we can move mountains. Consider the state of your relationship with God and think what about yourself you are seeing amplified back at you.

John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears punishment has not been perfected in love.

The only thing I fear is for the souls of those I love as a result of their relationship with God. If they reject God then so too will he reject them.

[Blien]

Hi there,

I have been a Christian for around 3 years now and the Lord has helped me uncover something about myself that was hidden deep down within me and I had never properly realised before: I have an almost crippling fear of the people I love leaving me, whether it be by moving away or death. The death part of it I feel is a bit more extreme because death is final; once someone has died you get no more chances to talk with them, laugh with them, be with them. They are gone. With moving away it's sad, but there are always opportunities to stay in touch and visit.

I think this realisation makes sense with me; about a year ago both of my parents moved to another country, making me the only one in my immediate family still living here. I feel that I have never properly dealt with feelings of abandonment surrounding that. Their moving away I think has agitated a part of me that feels I am going to be "abandoned" by everyone I love, in some way or another, and the fact that they were emotionally absent when I was a child (so even in that way, they have emotionally "abandoned" me, and continue to do so). Sometimes all I have to do is think about my parents and it's enough to make me want to break down into tears, and I know it's because they left.

Death is the same thing really - someone leaving, though not by their own accord (most of the time). Death has scared me since I was a child. I have recollections of nights I used to lay awake, worrying about the day dad would die. (funnily enough, thinking about the day mum will die did not have as much of an effect - I was sad, but not to the same heart-wrenching extent as when I thought about dad dying). I would just lie there in bed, crying to myself until I fell asleep. I still continue to worry about when dad might die, and it hurts me very deeply.

Now, I have found a wonderful young man who I am in love with and deeply attached to, and we are going to be married, hopefully next year but we haven't decided on that yet. Lately I have been having really big fears about the day he will die. I don't mean it is a fear that he is going to die sometime soon. It's almost as if I am mourning the fact that one day, he will die. Because everyone dies. It seems that I am unable to cope with this natural fact of life, even though I am a Christian and believe there is a heaven. I guess because I have never experienced heaven, but I have experienced loved ones dying, it upsets me greatly to think about. If I have not experienced heaven then it makes it harder to find comfort in the thought of it - it is completely unknown to me.

What should I do? Has anyone else been through this in their life before? It is a real problem for me because it is making me start to feel as though I don't want to live anymore, for the pain of seeing others go will be too much. It makes me fearful of the day ahead of me, it makes me want to curl up in a ball and hide. Sometimes my fear of losing people is so great I am depressed for days and days. I don't want to be feeling like this anymore. I need help; I need to know how to address it, I need to know how to pray about it. What can I do?

Though you might be a alone.. as Jesus said about Himself at one time. Yet, you are not really alone. You have GOD, and us your friends on Worthy..

To tell you really what I think. This is an attack on you by the Enemy. The fear and anxiety is not from God or from yourself.. the Enemy is doing this to you and I hate it. It has nothing to do about you, its his evil thoughts being placed on you as suggestions to cause you stress. Do you believe this?

Why do you feel more anxious for your Dad than Mom? Well you are a woman aren't you? Generally speaking women or girls are more attached to their fathers than they are to their mothers and its vice versa with boys.. its normal.

But I wonder, have you ever had a real revelation about Jesus Christ? I'm not questioning or doubting your Christianity.. I just believe that it takes time for others to know Jesus and God (Elohim) are as real and available as your neighbor next door. I didn't get it at first either... but now I place all my trust and understanding on GOD that He will save me when the time is right, just as the person who was crucified with Jesus. He asked Him to remember him in Heaven and Jesus did.. that simple. In my own times of trouble Jesus never let me down.. not once..

One time when I heard a voice telling me to pray before a trip so I did and also asked my cousin to pray for us.. when we were returning from the day at the beach, driving in the mountains in THICK fog.. an Angel said to me "keep awake and watch"! Then about 30 minutes later we were struck by a bus that came around the corner without its lights on and nearly fliped us over the mountain!! But it was GOD who saved us.. Everyone on the BUS testified it was GOD who saved is. ALL OF THEM testified it was HIS work because we were all alive yet one wheel of the car was over the mountain.. I have pictures if you want to see.

In your time of trouble, call out to Jesus and God, all will be well.

I'll be praying for your comfort.