Why do We Fear Darkness, Death, And Endings?

Why Do We Fear Darkness, Death, And Endings?

Eileen Renders

   For many of us, the fear of darkness was very scary as a child. We could not see, and our imaginations could conjure up many threatening creatures. We had seen Shows featuring “monsters”, villains, or creepy crawlers, we relied on the protection of our Mothers arms and our Fathers’ strength to provide safety and love. We often needed a night light to lull us into sleep.

Perhaps we didn’t understand much about death as young children, but Movies and Television Shows demonstrated how serious injuries could lead to death. Death was scary as it threw us into the unknown, and we imagined it to be, you guessed it, darkness.

   Often, we associate death as an ending and may imagine we will be surrounded by darkness, if only for a brief time.

   Surprisingly, we learn to love God at a very young age, and when we are young, we do not think about death. We are, for the most part, busy with life and planning our future. For many, there is no future, as they die in their youth. We only have today, but who does not hear of neighbors, family, or friends passing away unexpectedly in their 30s, 40s, or 50s? Sometimes, we leave here unexpectedly through an accident, an act of violence, or a serious disease. We have only one day at a time.

   Realizing that fear is the opposite of trust and recognizing how much God loves us, and even as our love deepens for Christ throughout our spiritual maturity, why do we still fear death? Could it be that we do not trust enough in God’s promises? Are we frustrated because we are just not certain how to increase our trust in God?

   Perhaps the answer lies in how much time we spend alone with God, praying, meditating, or just talking to Him. Praying to God to ask for more trust in Him is a good way to begin placing effort in deepening our relationship with Him, and looking forward to maybe a peaceful death where He will come to meet us on the other side. I believe that the ecstasy that God speaks of in the bible refers to when we meet God on the other side with joy and trust, and He guides us home.