Death of a Christian.

I have been thinking a lot about the verses in the Bible that tell Christians not to fear death and not to mourn as the pagans do. Those are very bold statements for such a seemingly painful topic.I will say, the more I have thought on this and sought the Lord my attitude has changed immensely on this subject. As Humans we can have such a finite, small view of life. We only know what is going on in the present. Even the past can become blurred or changed over time. So how are we supposed to cope this something so big and final as death?
Here is the seemingly simple yet mind blowing revelation I have had about death...God does not view death the way we do. Here is what I mean. Say you have a 5 year old and you have planned a surprise trip to Disney world, the mecca of all childhood dreams. In order to get him there you have to take an airplane, his first flight. Once he is on the plane he is in heaven. he thinks this is the greatest thing he has ever done. By the time the plane has touched down in Orlando he is so in love with the plane ride that he becomes fearful, agitated and emotional at the thought of getting off the plane. He begins to trough a fit. crying, whaling, morning the loss of this fun ride. You are the parent know that the plane ride was just a temporary part of his total journey but he cant see that or understand what he has to look forward to. He has never been to Disney world. Never seen the colors, the joy, the music, the lights. All he knows is that he really loved the plane ride and does not want it to end.
You see death of a Christian is not the end. To God it is just the way that person gets to the next and final destination.
God is not cruel. To him the end of a Christian's earthly life is just his "next steps" in how to join us with him for eternity. So to the Christian that passes away they will find themselves "off the plane ride they loved so much" and taken to " Disney World they could never have imagined."
This new perspective has caused me to lose all fear of death. Yes, there is pain for those left here on the "plane" without the love one that has passed on but knowing that it is not their end but merely a far better continuation of their soul is what ultimately brings us comfort in the loss of a (Christian) loved one.
I know I keep saying Christian, and for good reason. The word is very clean that not everyone should have "no fear in death"(John 14: 1-6). That is a peace that can only come to someone that has made their "calling and election sure". (2 peter 1:10) What happens to a non-believer after death does not bring peace to our hearts and that is truly something to mourn.
God would never tell us "not to morn as pagans do"(1 Thes 4:13) or not to have fear if he did not if he did not have a loving plan for us. We can trust him.
Now all of this might seem simple or meaningless but understanding God's view of death for his children is a huge concept that once grasped and rooted into our hearts can free us to be bold for Him in this life. If you truly lose all fear of death than it frees you to not cling to this life and its trappings so much. I understand now why people like Steven could be so brazen in the face of violence and fear. He truly had faith his life would not end if they killed his body but rather his soul would just take its new shape.
In no way am I saying we need to run out and do stupid things in the name of the Lord, but a day may come where your faith could be put to the test as Steven's was and if you don't grasp this truth you may be tempted to gain your life here and lose your eternity with Christ. I hope I have conveyed the thoughts of my heart in a clear way that is understandable. I hope this will bring peace to some that are morning the loss of a Christian family member or friend. And most of all I pray this will light a fire under us that believe to show, tell and help those who have not given Christ their hearts to do so.