Fear may lead the mind to exquisite self-deception in order to maintain a sense of security in the face of grave reality. There are always those who, rather than face their fears, instantly dismiss grim facts as “ravings of imbeciles.” But to discount reasonable warnings, however ominous, is itself irrational, and there is no simple cure for such madness.

By his dying, Christ defanged and beheaded the serpent of death in all its forms. Through faith, physical death becomes a door into bliss; spiritual death gives way to new birth and indwelling of the Spirit of life; the sentence of eternal death is commuted and life everlasting granted. Life triumphs over death in Christ!