Preparation
for Death
Like
everybody else, you would look forward to a peaceful death.
But a
peaceful death is possible only when there is adequate preparation for death.
When should one begin the preparation for
death?
Physically,
your body has initiated such preparation as soon as it reaches its maturity:
your body begins to wind down slowly and wear down gradually. However, mentally
and spirituality, most of us are still unprepared until the very last moment
when we are confronted with death, such as the onslaught of a chronic illness
or the decease of someone close to us.
Thoughts of
dying and death are so morbid that nobody wants to contemplate them. But
preparation for death takes away death anxiety and enables living in faith.
Preparation
for death is faith in death; it helps
in the following ways:
Faith in
death gives courage to get into the unknown and beyond after death
without fear. Such courage is based on the relationship of trust in God’s grace
and love, just as Apostle Paul expressed his relationship with God: “For to me,
to live is Christ, to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)
Faith in
death gives not only insight to guide through death into paradise but
also control over one’s own dying and death. Every night, before going
to bed, pray just as Jesus did: “Father
into Your hands, I commend My spirit.” (Luke 23:46) Faith in death gives
transformation from agony to ecstasy, just as Jesus’ crucifixion
transformed Him from agony to the eternal joy of heaven. Faith in death gives positive
reflections on the meaning of life, and its priorities, and thus enabling
one to live in the present moment. Spiritual wisdom makes death a friend,
rather than a foe.
As a believer, cling to
God, not the earthly things. Let living in faith make the transition from death
to eternal life.
Chuang Tzu, an ancient Chinese philosopher once said: “How do
I know that in clinging to this life I’m not merely clinging to a dream and
delaying my entry into the real world? The great earth burdens me with a body,
causes me to toil in life, eases me into old age, and rests me in death. That
which makes my life good, makes my death even better . . . “
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
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