Can Death Get Hold of Us?

“Death any time can get hold of us.” — Is That True?

“Death any time can get hold of us.” I happened to hear this statement today. It was spoken by a teacher and an ordained minister — someone deeply respected. My intention in reflecting on this is not to oppose or put down the speaker. Rather, I believe many people use similar phrases without fully thinking through what they imply. Sometimes, we all need to unlearn certain expressions and reframe them with a more accurate and faith-filled perspective.

In Malayalam, people often say, “മരണം ഏതു സമയവും നമ്മെ കടന്നുപിടിക്കാം” (maranam ethu samayavum namme kadannu pidikkam), which carries the same idea: that death can overtake us at any moment. At first glance, this sounds reasonable. After all, death can be sudden. Accidents, illness, and unforeseen events remind us how fragile life is. But the wording — “death can get hold of us” — subtly suggests that death is in control, acting on its own, catching us unaware, as if we are powerless in its grip.

But that is not how Scripture teaches us to view life or death. As believers, we affirm that our lives are not ruled by chance or fate. The psalmist declares, “My times are in Your hands” (Psalm 31:15). Death does not "grab us"; rather, our lives are held and guided by a sovereign God who knows our beginning and our end. He has numbered our days, and nothing — not even death — comes without His knowledge or permission.

More importantly, for those who believe in Christ, death has lost its sting. The resurrection of Jesus has changed everything. The Apostle Paul, filled with hope, boldly asks: “O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55). He reminds us that death is not the end — it is a defeated enemy. For the believer, death is not something to fear, but a doorway into the eternal presence of God.

This view doesn’t ignore the reality of death. Instead, it calls us to live with wisdom and readiness — not driven by fear, but anchored in faith and hope. Each day is a gift from God, and we are called to live it well — loving others, walking humbly with God, and being faithful in our calling.

So while the statement might carry some truth, it needs correction. We are not helpless before death; we are held by the One who conquered it. That’s the perspective we need to live by — and gently remind others of, especially when such familiar phrases are spoken without reflection.