[mini31]

I am not only scared, I am honestly so frightened of it it makes me anxious and I start crying sometimes. The first time I remember doing this was when I was walking home from the elementary school and heard gunshots (didnt live in a pretty neighborhood) and I was petrified. I am a catholic woman but I have had many issues with my faith. I try with all my heart to believe but that shadow of a doubt will never leave me. This fear of death and loss of faith is crippling me. I want to stop worrying and be able to live. I was at mass some Sunday and a lecture the priest said was about how you should believe with no need for proof, but I simply can't. Can anyone tell me anything to help me? Or has anyone been in this situation before and did something to help them?

[Moparbyfar]

We can draw much comfort regarding the condition of the dead from the scriptures.

Jesus likened death to sleep in John 11:11-13 (He said these things, and after this he said to them: "Laz′a‧rus our friend has gone to rest, but I am journeying there to awaken him from sleep." 12 Therefore the disciples said to him: "Lord, if he has gone to rest, he will get well." 13 Jesus had spoken, however, about his death. But they imagined he was speaking about taking rest in sleep.)

Also in Ecclesiastes 9:5 it states (For the living are conscious that they will die but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all, neither do they anymore have wages, because the remembrance of them has been forgotten.)

So obviously we will know nothing when we die. Think of it as a deep sleep. Why does Jesus liken death to sleep? Because he has the power to resurrect those who have passed away, just as he did with Lazarus and will do in the near future with many more. These times we live in bring uncertainty, distress and often tragedy but God's Word holds out real hope for us all, even when it comes to death.

Often the unknown can scare us, but our God loves us and cares enough about us to reveal the truth by way of the scriptures. Jesus words at John 8:32 are powerful and true (You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.) The truth about what happens to us when we die has already freed many from false religious teachings and brought much relief to them. I hope you can be one of them. :)

[hauntinghelper]

Beautifully put and very true. Mini, we fear the unknown. One thing I can think of that makes this a little more known for you is to know where you are going to go when you die. While I'm sure few of us look forward to death... it is assuring to know what will be on that other side. If you have had that salvation experience, then rest assured where your eternity is going to be. Learn to trust God and take Him at His word.

[Fr_Chuck]

If a unrealistic fear is stopping you from living life properly, you need to get counseling.

It is a fact, we all will die, you can not stop it, it may be today, tomorrow or 30 or 40 or more years from now

You live each day as if it was your last.

For our religion, it is by faith, God does not send emails or texts to tell you, faith is something we have to accept in our hearts with no real proof of it.

[phillysteakandcheese]

While some people are afraid of the unknown, others are afraid of the pain associated with their death occurring. Sometimes people envision agonizing pain, and it's this anticipation of pain that truly terrifies them.

Fortunately, most of us will not feel pain at all in our death... We may be in a hospital bed with our pain being managed through drugs. We may be in a situation where our adrenaline and focus is so high that we will not "feel" pain. We may be sleeping peacefully, and simply slip away in the night.

There's no need to be afraid. The world ran before we got here and will continue after we leave. People will adapt and move on to life without us. The that remember us will keep us in their heart.