For decades ours has been a “death denial society.” We pretend death isn’t viable for us. It’s “Out of sight, out of mind.” We live on the edge of denial, with death seeming to be something that happens to others. Attending funerals can present elements of inner angst that some prefer to avoid “like the plague.” Well, now we have a plague. One that is pandemic, prevalent throughout the entire world.

We cannot avoid thinking about death as the numbers of those who die from the COVID virus are astounding. This fact prevails as we read the newspaper, or view the news. People are fearful—and this is not good. A study of muscle testing (kinesiology) suggests our muscular system is weakened when we know something is wrong for us, or we face a threat. It may be possible our immune systems are also weakened as we begin to realize the truth, “I could catch this Covid thing—I could die from it.” Could it be that we are less likely to become sick with the virus if we conquer the fear of it?

It is possible to make friends with death and come to live with the truth that death is part of life. It is said, “None of us get out of here alive.” (True, in a temporal sense.) One of the greatest mysteries of all is that we are here on earth for a short time and that none of us know how long we will have. This is the very factor that makes life so precious.

Embracing death, learning to accept it as a friend can make a huge difference with our quality of life. If we know it’s “there for us” as friend, not a foe, we are more apt to have peace and take care not to bring it on early. This is simply a matter of not doing something stupid, like racing a car or motorcycle at excessive miles per hour . . . or, driving while intoxicated. Of course, there are many other ways in which we can bring on death before it needs to come. Life is precious.

For twenty of my early years, I had a hard time staying alive until a surgery, a vena cava filter, was invented near my 35th birthday. This was a miracle for me as it stopped blood clots flowing from my legs and abdomen into my heart and lungs. Now, my living long astounds me . . . when there is time to think about it.

How I made friends with death was through journaling, a practice that kept my mind on what I truly wanted to happen while here on earth, with God’s help. The Bible became my daily guide, allowing me to become more “spiritually minded.” Prayer flows easily and often.

Death became my friend by making it a part of how I live my life. Perpetually grateful for being alive, I celebrate life by giving thanks to God for the opportunities to help others on their journeys. One of the greatest of all blessings for a chaplain is to be there for individuals as they manage their fears in life and as they face death.

As regards handling the difficult emotions of fearing one’s end-of-life, it does no good to deny the fact that it will come. Dealing with that fear of it, honestly and squarely, takes a trust in God’s provision of everlasting life. Jesus came to be with us in order to provide our eternal future with Him. This world is our pilgrim-place. We will truly be alive in the “ever-after” once we are at home with God who created us. Meanwhile,” to be spiritual minded is life and peace,” (Romans 8:6.)

One of the good things that can come out of this pandemic is that most of us are living at a slower pace. Another, is that we see more clearly our temporal state. These factors prepare us better for “making the best of it,” while here. We can determine what we want to achieve in life, then get to the job of making it happen. Just be ready. Read the Bible daily. (Suggestion: start with the book of John, alongside the ministry of a pastor.)

Keeping one’s heart in God’s truth brings wonderful peace and comfort. “Always ready” becomes the best possible motto for life, while here on terra firma. What awaits will be glorious, beyond what we can imagine.