I learned this one from Stephen Covey: Begin with the end in mind.
This business principle requires future-forward thinking. Accomplished by first setting your end goal. For your company, or for whatever you are trying to accomplish.
After you’ve set a goal, work backwards. Keep your eye on the end goal, then fill in the gaps for what needs to happen next. Then next. Then next for the end goal to be accomplished.
And while this maxim is typically used by leaders to steer businesses, it should be applied to our personal lives as well. Especially the lives of Christ-followers.
Because for Christians, our end goal is heaven. Eternity. When we will appear before Jesus and hear these heart-warming words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).
Our end goal of eternity comes with next steps. First, accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Next, loving Jesus and our neighbor. Living daily for him. Believing that he who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6).
This is the antidote to the fear of death. If the end of your life means heaven and being with Jesus forever, why fear death? Or anything? The end is taken care of.
Now enjoy every day of the rest of your life on earth with Jesus.