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    Many people suffer from various kinds of phobias today. In reality, it is fear that grips their lives. They fear seeing the number 13, many have a fear of heights, and still others have a fear of being in a cramped, closed space. Whatever the fear, the greatest fear for many is the fear of death. Because of this fear, people have done some truly strange things in order to avoid its inevitability.

Death is not the end.

    William Randolph Hearst built the great Hearst Castle near Morro Bay. He filled the structure with the most beautiful objects and art of our world. Yet whenever anyone visited, he had a standing rule that no guest in his home could ever mention the word “death.” Each night he was afraid to go to sleep because he was tormented by the fear of death.

    The Bible teaches us that death is not the end. Daniel wrote of this truth: “And those who sleep (die) in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.” (12:2)

    Maybe there is a proper fear of death for some. But for those who “die in the Lord,” there is nothing to fear, for they will be the ones to receive an eternal reward. After all, this is why Jesus came, that he would not only win the victory over death (1 Corinthians 15:51-58), but so that he could also help us overcome our fear of death! (Hebrews 2:14-18)