What do you do when you are facing the prospect of death? All are going to die, but when you have cancer or some other life-threatening disease, you might think of death a little more often.

I wanted to take a few minutes to consider what it is like. I am on my third round of cancer. Following the removal of my kidney, I underwent medication to reduce five tumors, underwent surgery to eliminate the cancer, and remained cancer-free for several months. Then the cancer came back. Now, I have one cancerous tumor and at least four spots, cysts, or tumors besides that.

Knowing you regularly see doctors, get scans, etc., keeps you focused on your health, where you are, and what the future holds.

So my question is, can we face death, bring glory to God, and leave a powerful testimony in our remaining days?

First, I believe we trust that our Father, a good, loving, and merciful Father, has a purpose and knows what He is doing. Our unwavering faith in God is all that can help us make sense of what is happening.

Then, I believe we accept what God is doing and embrace the journey He has us on. We trust He holds the future and will care for us.

Hope is the word of the believer. We hope in God and His promises. Hope for the believer isn’t an emotional desire, but a spiritual expectancy. I know the promises He has made, and I know He will keep His Word.

As you draw closer to death, you draw closer to eternity that you will spend with God. So, for me, that means I want to know Him more. I want to learn about my Father. I want to pray, meditate, and spend time in His Word.

Knowing my Father, I want to live a life of forgiveness just as Jesus did.

I want to live in gratitude for all God is doing.

I do not want to live selfishly. The sicker you are, the needier you become, but I want to live above that.

I know God now, and I want to know Him more and will throughout all of eternity.

Give up your fears to the Lord. Cast your burdens on Him.

Show love and compassion to others. Encourage them to live life to the fullest.

Share your faith in God and what He is doing in your life.

Do not dwell on bitterness or resentment. Leave all that behind you and live in forgiveness and love.

Help others see that real peace is accepting God’s plan for your life.

Can I remind you that death is really a separation? I will be dead here on earth when my spirit, the real me, steps out of this body. I will be more alive than ever because I will enter my Eternal Life. Forever, I will be with God. I will know my Father like I would never have thought possible.

Death on earth is horrible, while it is precious in the eyes of our Father. Our death here is our going home to Dad, our Father, forever.