Paul described those who have died before us as “asleep” (1 Thess. 4:13). In the Disney classic Sleeping Beauty, Maleficent curses Princess Aurora with death, but Fairy Merryweather’s gift turns death into sleep. The fairy says, “Sweet princess, if through this wicked witch’s trick, a spindle should your finger prick, a ray of hope there still may be in this, the gift I give at thee. Not in death but just in sleep the fateful prophecy you’ll keep, and from this slumber you shall wake when true love’s kiss the spell shall break.”

The gift of salvation turns death into sleep. Death is final, but sleep is temporary. When you lay down to sleep, you do so with the anticipation that you will wake again. So it is when we die as Christians. The gospel gives us assurance that the grave will not hold us forever. No matter what you face today, this week, or in this life, you can be encouraged in the hope of Jesus’ return.

How does this passage give you courage to live for Jesus without fear?