The bridge which leads to the paradise of God – Thomas Brooks

If God is a believer’s portion, then never let a believer be afraid to die, or unwilling to die. Let those be afraid to die who have only this world for their portion here, and hell for their portion hereafter. But let not a saint be afraid of death who has the Lord of life for his portion. One who has God for his portion should rather invite death than tremble at it. He should rather sweetly welcome it than turn his back upon it; for death to such a one is but . . .
the way to paradise,
the way to all heavenly delights,
the way to life, immortality, and glory,
the way to everlasting springs of pleasure,
the way to a clear, full, constant, and eternal enjoyment of God.

Death is the bridge which leads to the paradise of God. All the hurt that it can do, is to bring a believer to a full enjoyment of God, his everlasting portion.