Question about death

[lauralee]

I was visiting a friend today who is very ill. When we were alone they asked me, "Wonder what it feels like to die?" I don't know, I said. Does anyone have any comforting words for this question?

[mark]

...........I would read to them 1 Corinthians 15 vs 42-58:

Here it is......( NIV )

42So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being"[e]; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 46The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. 48As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we[f] bear the likeness of the man from heaven.

50I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."[g]
55"Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?"[h] 56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.


Especially verse 58:

58Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

I would try to comfort them with the only thing we have available for the future & that's God's comforting word described in verse 58.
Good luck..........see ya mark

[F_Farkell]

I always look at it like, When God call you to sing in the choir. You don't say " ahhh I think I've got a frog ". You say " how bout Amazing Grace" ?
Does that work for You ?

[lauralee]

Thanks, I believe God will send me help to comfort them, that's why I asked. Thanks for the shares.

[Flame]

Do you think they were asking physical symptoms? I have been with patients that are dying. I"m sure the feelings are different depending on which direction of travel you are going. I did have a patient to tell me once as she had the most peaceful look on her face" Oh Father I'm coming across the bridge to pick the pretty flowers". Have always questioned my response which was, "OH NO not on me you ain't". I was fresh out of LPN school at the time and hadn't lost a patient yet. I have had patients we have brought back mention the bright lights. I've also had patients in their last hours complain of burning feet, even though their feet were ice cold. So in terms of physical symptoms I can only go by what I have been told while caring for dying patients.

I have often wondered myself how it is going to feel. I have always thought that if going to heaven would feel like just before you drift off to sleep before surgery. Anyone had versed? It gives you this what I'd call "high" feeling and all your cares are gone. I just always thought that is what it would feel like.

[ionlyworkhere]

Mark is absolutely correct. The Bible is the best source of comfort.

I received this in an email the other day. It gives a different perspective.

~DEATH~ HAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO EXPLAIN IT..

A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side."

Very quietly, the doctor said, "I don't know."

"You don't know? You, a Christian man, Does not know what is on the other side?"

The doctor was holding the handle of the door; On the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, And when the door opened, he sprang in without fear.

I know little of what is on the other side of death, But I do know one thing...

I know my Master is there and that is enough."

You don't mention if you friend is saved.

I pray that they are, then they should be able to take comfortin the words of the Bible. If they are not saved, they will understand the story I have here and I pray that you will use it as the opportunity to lead them to Christ. If you wish, I can go with you. Just let me know.

[Bengals_Mama]

Very nice responses! If the person is Saved, then they have nothing to fear. Of course God is the best answer, but Flame has experience in this subject. I know it must be hard to do your line of work at times, and I am very greatful for people like you! I'm not so sure I could do it myself.

[lauralee]

Thanks to you all for your responses. This friend is saved and I believe knows more about their illness than is letting on. I know what to do and then when it hits me in the face I somehow need to get advice. Maybe it's support I needed or just someone to say it's okay to be there and not say anything. I've lost several loved ones to cancer and sat with them til the end and I guess it's just the thought of doing it again that's getting me down. Thanks again. Laura