AMEN!
When I fell off the mountain during the blizzard, alone, and was bleeding out internally, I came to the realization that the likely outcome was death. The comfort of knowing that I wasn't really alone, that God was with me came over me and provided an assurance I can't put into words.
It did not take the pain away. It did not keep me from calling on the radio when I was conscious. But the assurance was there that one way or the other, the pain would end, and eventually I would be with God.
No man truly knows what his reaction to his immenent death will be, until he's at the door.
I was grateful for my faith, and I was ready to go home.
In fact, I was a little disappointed to wake up in the hospital 3 days later.
/johnny
IOW, “Ain’t no athiest in a foxhole?”