Death is the one certainty no one can escape, yet it remains one of the most unsettling aspects of human existence. We try to ignore it, but it looms over us. It does so through the news, the loss of loved ones, or the passing of time itself. It is something we fear, something we hate, and yet, it is coming for all.
Why Does Death Feel So Wrong?
If death is so universal, why does it feel unnatural? The answer lies in how we were made. Our creation was for life, not death. In the beginning, God breathed life into Adam. There was no disease, no decay, no end—only perfect communion with God. Death entered the world through sin (Romans 5:12), an intruder that corrupted what was meant to last forever.
Every funeral reminds us of this reality. Deep down, we know something is wrong with the world when we stand over a grave. That body did not belong in the casket. We instinctively grieve because we recognize that life is precious and that death violates what was intended.
The Weight of Mortality
Despite knowing death is inevitable, people go to great lengths to avoid thinking about it. Society is obsessed with youth, beauty, and longevity. We spend billions on healthcare, fitness, and cosmetics—all in an effort to delay the unavoidable. Some push the thought of death far from their minds, immersing themselves in entertainment, work, or distractions. But no matter how much we ignore it, death eventually forces itself upon us.
There are those who catastrophize, who wake up in the middle of the night with thoughts of their own mortality. The thought of ceasing to exist haunts them. The unpredictability of death—whether by illness, accident, or violence—adds to the anxiety. Some people die in their sleep at old age, while others lose their lives in the prime of their youth. It is an unpredictable thief, taking what it wants, when it wants.
The Tragedy of Every Death
Some deaths are harder to process than others. When a child dies, it feels more tragic than when an elderly person passes. A sudden accident seems crueler than a slow decline. But every death—no matter the circumstances—is a tragedy because every person is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). That is why grief is so heavy. The loss of a loved one is not just the absence of their presence; it is the severing of a soul from the body, the breaking of something whole.
Even Jesus wept at death. When His friend Lazarus died, sorrow overcame Jesus (John 11:35), not because He lacked faith, but because He saw the pain death caused. The Son of God, who knew He would soon raise Lazarus, still mourned. He felt the weight of human loss.
How Should Christians Respond?
If death is a certainty, how should believers live in light of it? Scripture gives clear guidance:
- Acknowledge the reality of death, but do not let it enslave you. Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Wisdom comes from understanding that life is short and making every moment count.
- Trust in Christ, who conquered death. While death is inevitable, it is not the end. For those in Christ, death is a transition, not a finality. Jesus declared, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25).
- Value every life, knowing it is precious before God. Because people bear God’s image, their lives matter. This is why we fight to protect life, care for the sick, and mourn with those who grieve.
- Live with eternity in mind. The world teaches people to chase wealth, status, and comfort. But in the end, none of it will matter. What will matter is how we lived before God on this earth.
Death is inescapable, but it is not without hope.