Most of us have had near death experiences of some sort; those real-life incidents which could have resulted in us losing our lives.
It could be a car accident, maybe at the beach getting caught in a rip or nearly drowning. So many times, we could have died, but we survived. They were as it were, those brushes with death.

As Christians we do have protection from God, but we still are responsible to not put ourselves in danger. It is not wise then, to engage in activities that clearly put our lives at risk. If we live sensibly God will protect us as we live life under his care.

My own recent brush with death was quite literal and occurred when I was recently in hospital. I had a significant internal bleed, and the doctors thought they may need to operate. The reality was that I might not survive. I was told and my family were also informed. I was aware that this could be the end of my life. Yet there was a strong conviction within me that God would enable me to stay alive. In the extremity of the situation, all I could do was trust. After a month in hospital, I am now back home.

Our hold on life is so tenuous at best and none of us know what could happen tomorrow or next year. What encourages me as a believer is to know that God is in control of our lives. As we daily trust God he will not let anything happen to us that is not in his will. I do not understand why I experienced my brush with death. Perhaps it is this one thing… LIFE IS SHORT AND PRECIOUS! An encouragement surely, to commit each new day to God.