Spiritually Speaking What do you say to the terminally ill or, Why do people stumble when they try to talk to someone who is?

They have to be obeying all of Jesus' sayings ( Mat. 5:48 G.T.) .

I would hope that by God's grace I would call them to turn from their sins and trust in Jesus Christ if they have not done so already. If they have, I would encourage them to lean into Him for their strength through that difficult time.

GOD has a wonderful purpose for humans. He created the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, to live in a beautiful garden. His purpose was for them to have children, to make the whole earth a paradise, and to take care of the animals.​—Genesis 1:28; 2:8, 9, 15

Do you think that we will ever live in a paradise? Jehovah tells us: “I have purposed it, and I will also carry it out.” (Isaiah 46:9-11; 55:11) Yes, he will do what he has purposed, and nothing will stop him. Jehovah says that he created the earth for a reason. He “did not create it simply for nothing.” (Isaiah 45:18) He wants people to live all over the earth. What kind of people does God want to live here, and for how long? The Bible says: “The righteous [or, obedient] will possess the earth, and they will live forever on it.”​—Psalm 37:29; Revelation 21:3, 4.

Your question is stupid.

I just tell them that I'm sorry to hear that they're terminally ill, but they're not their disease or whatever is ill about them. Sometimes I also ask them if they're ready to go or ready to carry on for a bit longer. I've had some very interesting reactions and conversations as a result. 

I think in some cases it may be a bit of "survivors guilt". The terminally ill are about to embark on a journey of the unknown. At the end of the day, humans fear this unknown. We are familiar with life, it's the known.

The "I get to stay-you have to go" scenario makes for awkwardness, I reckon.

Update: Ain't seen you on here in awhile, neighbor. Good to see ya!

We are all terminally ill. Human life is a fatal condition.

I have no difficulty talking to anyone who has been told by medical professionals that their illness means they will likely be dead in a few weeks, or months, IF that person believes that when we die, we step out of time and enter eternity. We can converse freely about the joy of what is to come, for those who believe.

But if that person has no belief in God, no hope of eternity in joy with the Creator, then what can I say? Other than subjects the person wishes to discuss, I can say nothing.

It's almost as difficult with those who believe in God but who think death brings annihilation. Many such people think God might recreate a new body and put into its brain the memory and personality of who they had been before and they might hope that they've done enough "right things" to have that happen to them. The trouble is, if I take that topic and show them points from the Bible, it could end up in them arguing and taking offense.

You see the difficulty? There ARE sensitivities to be considered, but it's up to the terminally ill person to make clear what they want to talk about, otherwise it can be like walking on eggs.

Well let's be honest, it's not easy being with folks who are in the process of dying. We must be sensitive and not harsh - after all, put yourself in their place. Would you like it if someone visited you and they weren't sensitive and said something like, "How long do you think you've got left? Well then, when do you think you might die?"

I mean - come on. Everyone who is ill wants compassion and love not harshness and brashness and someone who is insensitive to their needs and wishes.

That's why people stumble at such moments because we don't want to hurt the dying person and we don't quite know what to say to comfort them either. In those circumstances it's best not to say anything - just be there for them, quietly praying for them and if possible reassuring and comforting them. Words are not always necessary. I have resorted to singing a beautiful song quietly.

Ultimately much of our culture is afraid of death, it makes people uncomfortable.: Ship them off to nursing homes, let them die in a hospital, out of sight out of mind, death happens “to the other guy” not me. It can actually be a good spiritual practice to reflect on your death and what that means. Alethis Noble actually began keeping a plastic skull on her desk to remind her of her death one day. May seem morbid but it can keep you motivated to keep the one goal in mind: heaven.

They are a burden