Why are Christians scared to die?

[Jenny A]

In my 30+ years of Christianity, I never understood why Christians who were so confident in their eternal destiny would panic over illness and fight so hard to cling to life.  I honestly believed that I would thank God if I ever contracted a terminal illness, because that would mean I was close to my eternal rewards.  You would think that everyone would have felt that way -- that a cancer diagnosis would just mean that God has marked them either for a miracle or at very least a promotion to eternity. 

Instead, I watched through the years as people immediately turned to science to save them (giving God credit of course) and going through the same chemo and radiation treatment as all those folks who didn't have heaven to look forward to.  Then, if they died the brethren would say "The Lord healed them by taking them home to their glorified body" or if they recovered we would praise God for a miracle, even though the sick person was treated by doctors just like everyone else.

There isn't much noteworthy to say about my father, but he at least carried his faith to his death in the way you more often find lacking.  He'd had a mild heart attack which went untreated until he went in with more pain.  We were told he had maybe a week.  Not sure if they told him.  But he listened to his hymns and religious music right up to the end and also ate the cherries and other favorite fruits I brought him.  I never argued with him much about religion and I wouldn't have then but he thought it was an opportunity to turn me around.  I had to mind my tongue and acquiesce through most of it.  No point in undermining his faith then.

At this point, I've held the hands of three relatives on their journey to death.  Two were Christian.  One like your father was calm. I didn't question his faith.  It would have been unkind.  The other Christian was afraid, but I didn't know how to help as she was afraid of hell, not oblivion.  I lied and told her I was sure she'd been a faithful Christian and heaven was waiting. I doubt it was really helpful, so my lie was wasted.  But I doubt I could have convinced her that there is no hell.  In any case if heaven and hell are extant and depend upon merit, she's in heaven.   The atheist was in so much pain, she welcomed death.  I'm sure she is no longer in pain.