It has been said that death is a part of life, and that is true. Every man will face it. To most, it is considered life’s greatest hardship. But death is also the one hardship that most men intentionally avoid thinking about.
Strong men will push themselves into all kinds of hardships and work hard to prepare themselves for the most difficult things in life. But these same men will often avoid the subject of death. As a result, many are not prepared for what lies ahead.
February 15, 2021, @ 1:30 am, I said goodbye to my dad. He lived for 75 years, and now he is gone. I miss him. It is hard. But when you experience death, it makes you realize that death is coming. Whether we take the time to think about it or not, it is the inevitable storm of life closing in on all of us. Its rumble can be heard in the distance. It is nearer today than it was yesterday.
As men, we provide strength, structure, stability, and safety in life. But what about when it comes to the topic of death? Are we prepared for death? When we face death, will we remain the rock for those around us? If we continue to avoid the subject, the answer is certain. We will not. We will not be prepared. This is not an area of life where we will just “wing it” and win. Winning requires we lean into the subject and prepare ourselves to be strong enough to uphold those around us.
Here are three things I have discovered in my journey of thinking through death. I hope they are helpful to you as you accept the challenge and prepare yourself.
The Real Test
Many belief systems work for life. Many belief systems will enable you to experience success while living in this world. We see it all around us. There are successful people throughout the world that hold to a variety of belief systems. We can learn a lot from each other in this way. We can learn how to successfully navigate through life.
Personally, I often listen, read, and engage with individuals that hold to belief systems that are different from mine. I have learned many helpful things regarding fitness, career, writing, style, relationships, fatherhood, leadership, do-it-yourself ideas, etc. I filter ideas through my personal belief system (my mission, vision, and values) and apply them in ways that fit my life and the way I want to live. I have found great value outside the circles of my personal faith.
However, I believe the real test for a belief system is how it stacks up when it comes to death. Does what you believe prepare you for the inevitable day? Do you find strength and courage to successfully navigate death? Many belief systems fail miserably when it comes to facing death. They may be strong in life, but there is no hope and a lot of ambiguity when it comes to death. I think there is considerable value in thinking through these questions and taking action to prepare.
I have found strength and freedom through the process of leaning into these questions. I have forced myself to think through them and then build up the areas I am weak. Having gone through my grandfather’s death as a teenager and now recently my dad, it is back on my list of things I am working on to solidify in my own mind and spirit. In my mind, this is a continuous process of building strength and courage to prepare to face “my day” like a man. I want to be a rock in the face of the thing men fear most, death.
Preparing for Death Empowers Me in Life
Solidifying the hope I have in death has enabled me to live a much more fulfilled life. My faith is in the person of Jesus Christ as he is revealed in the Bible. This belief system enables me to know my destiny is sealed and certain. This certainty provides freedom in the life I live now. I think about my death, but I do not worry about it. I have studied, experienced, and tested the Biblical truth regarding eternal life and gained strength in it.
Jesus paid the price for my redemption. That payment has been made. What he did on the cross satisfied the penalty for sin. By faith in Him, that work is applied to my life. It is finished. It is clear to me where I am going and why I am going there. The certainty of it rests in the hands of the Power above all power. This is strong in my mind and my spirit.
Now I live in a way that honors the One that paid my way. He opened the door I could not open. He was raised to life, and he blazed the trail to eternal life that I could not blaze. I am grateful, and I am now inspired to live a grateful life. It drives me to maximize the life my Redeemer has bought for me. My calling now is to be the most effective man God will enable me to be. I want to put the work in and lead the way so that others can also experience life in the Savior.
As a result, I do not cling to many things in this world. Instead, I am driven in life to be a good steward of what I have been given and live life to the fullest. I am thankful for what has been done for me in the person and work of Jesus Christ. My best days of “life” are not those I will live in this world but those yet to come. I have hope even in the worst of situations.
Work to Be Stronger Every Day
Much like physical fitness spiritual fitness requires routine discipline. We cannot be strong in the Lord with an occasional visit to the Source of our power and strength. We need to be plugged into Him routinely.
Deep faith is the most effective faith in life and in death. The closer we are to God in our daily walk the more fearless we will be in the face of every difficulty we face. I build it into my spiritual routine to look ahead to the day I will die. This is a mental exercise to attempt to understand how strong I am in my faith. Is the Spirit of God strong in me? Are my mind and spirit strong enough to face death? What weakness is there that I need to firm up so that I am better prepared?
I have spent the time to understand what I believe, why I believe, and how to apply it in life. This drives my Bible study and prayer life. We should work to shore up our faith. Learn and apply.
Doing is where weak faith becomes strong. Learn what you should be doing by faith and demonstrate your faith by putting it into action. Your actions reveal what you really believe. Actions, driven by faith, doing the uncomfortable will make you grow. Lean into the hard things of the faith. Do what you know you are called to do and you will become stronger.
Call to Action
I believe men are called to lead. The biggest aspect of leadership is example. We need to be the example. We need to continually work to be the strongest men we can be in body, mind, and spirit. Where do I need to build my foundation so that I stand strong in death?
I have experienced two men face their end, my dad and my grandfather. I have sensed the power of God in both situations. I know the power of the Christian faith in death. I have seen the reality of these words.
“Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:54-58
Sin makes death sting. When your sin issue is resolved, the sting is gone. Death no longer has power in your life. The sting is replaced with victory. You no longer fear death, but instead, you build a life in the victory and power of Jesus Christ. The man that finds victory over sin will be steadfast, immovable, and abounding in the work of the Lord. He will know that all of life is meaningful and has value now and after death. Every day is an investment in eternity. This investment will make you stronger in life and stronger in death. You will be the rock for those around you, leading others to the Source of your strength.
Are you avoiding preparing for life’s greatest hardship? Does your belief system offer hope and strength in death as it does in life? I would challenge you to think about these things. Where does your spiritual foundation need reinforcement? Do not be like most men avoiding the issue altogether. Prepare for that day. In preparing for death, you will at the same time strengthen your life. Build a routine to get stronger every day. Be ready for death and be more powerful in life.
Other related posts:
A Look at the Fierce Strength of Jesus in Hardship
The Powerful Impact of a Man that Knows His Destiny
The Man that “Puts It On The Line” Experiences God
The Rugged Man’s Perspective of the Other Side of Jesus
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In your corner,
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.