🌅 Dying Happily

A Reflection on Life, Loss, and Eternal Hope
By: Tony Aranas

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🕊️ The Bad News First

If you’ve never truly experienced pain or loss, this may sound like bad news:
We will all die.

Ever since I lost my son, death has been a daily thought.
I know how grim that may sound to many—but it is what it is.
Loss exposes the truth that we all share the same destination.
We will either leave or be left behind, and in that moment, all our possessions and plans remain here.

For some, like my son, the departure comes early.
For others, it is delayed.
But one truth stands unshaken:

“It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”
— Hebrews 9:27 (KJV)

Life truly is a journey—with both arrivals and departures.
When my son passed, I wrestled with God.
I questioned His fairness.
I thought perhaps it was punishment, that God had forsaken me.
But like the Apostle Paul, I came to see my own shortcomings:

“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”
— Romans 7:24 (KJV)

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🙏 The Lesson Through Pain

While on that vacation, I realized something I had long forgotten:
I never thanked God for the blessing of the journey itself.
I was so focused on enjoying “fun” that I forgot to seek the Giver of joy.

Jesus’ words came alive in my heart:

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
— Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

God was telling me that in all things—good or bad, exciting or tragic—I must seek Him first.
When we do, even our pain becomes medicine for the soul.
Indeed, the Word of God medicated my pain.
God is good.
He truly does prepare a place for those who love Him:

“In My Father’s house are many mansions… I go to prepare a place for you.”
— John 14:2 (KJV)

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✝️ Now, the Good News

Though we all die, death is not defeat—it is the doorway to eternal life with the One who created us.
And how do we know this?
Because Jesus rose from the dead.

If Jesus had not risen:

1. There would be no Christmas.
2. No Easter.
3. No saints or celebrations.
4. No Christianity.
5. No hope, no mercy, no love.
6. The strong would dominate the weak.
7. Barbarism would rule the earth.

But praise God, Jesus did rise!

“He is not here: for He is risen, as He said.”
— Matthew 28:6 (KJV)

Because of the resurrection:

• There is forgiveness.
• There is purpose.
• There is eternal life.

“Because I live, ye shall live also.”
— John 14:19 (KJV)

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💫 The Promise of Eternal Life

For believers, death is not the end—it’s a glorious beginning.
Jesus Himself promised:

“Whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.”
— John 11:26 (KJV)

The Apostle Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, was blinded so that he could finally see the truth.
From enemy to servant, Paul became a slave of Christ—and because of his transformation, we know the Gospel today.

“To live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
— Philippians 1:21 (KJV)

When we believe in Jesus, eternal life is ours for the taking.
Death is sure—but so is life everlasting.

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🌤️ A Happy Death in Christ

When we understand what awaits us in Heaven, death no longer terrifies us—it transforms into hope.

“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard… the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.”
— 1 Corinthians 2:9 (KJV)

A happy death is not about smiling through pain—it’s about knowing where we’re going.

So when that time comes, let it be known that I, Tony Aranas,
believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
I believe in the Father who sent Him, and I believe in the Holy Spirit who dwells within me.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
— John 3:16 (KJV)

I hold onto that promise—because I know where I’m going.
Not in a hurry, but with peace in my heart.
Yes… I will die happily.

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🙌 Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,
You conquered death so that we may live.
Teach us to seek You first in all things—
in laughter, in sorrow, in plenty, and in loss.
Thank You for preparing a place for us in Your Kingdom.
May my life, and even my death, glorify You.
Amen.