Man’s sin brought death into the world, and with death came loss and grief. Loss and grief are deeply real experiences. If you want evidence of God’s existence, consider how foreign and unnatural loss feels to us. It disrupts us completely; you can’t sleep, you can’t eat. We were not designed to carry loss, and it affects us profoundly, even at a neurological level:
Amygdala Overactivation: The amygdala, responsible for processing emotions, becomes highly active. This can intensify feelings of sadness, depression, fear, anxiety, and emotional instability.
Reduced Prefrontal Cortex Function: The prefrontal cortex, which governs rational thought and planning, may become less active, leading to feelings of overwhelm and disorganization.
Survival Mode (Fight or Flight): The brain may interpret loss as a threat to survival, triggering a prolonged “fight or flight” response. This can elevate cortisol levels, create persistent physical tension, and in some cases contribute to panic attacks or PTSD.
Reward System Disruption: The brain’s attachment circuitry (such as the nucleus accumbens) continues searching for the person who is gone, resulting in intense longing and yearning.
These are only a few of the neurological effects of grief. Entire fields of psychology are devoted to studying it. You may have heard of the seven stages of grief: shock/disbelief, denial, anger, bargaining, guilt, depression, and acceptance. But grief is not a linear process; it is fluid. People move in and out of these emotions unpredictably, often revisiting them multiple times. None of it feels natural.
It was sin that brought death into the world, and only through Christ and His Spirit can we receive life. Revelation 21:4 says, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” Christ came to undo what sin has done: “...to bind up the brokenhearted, to comfort all who mourn... to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning...” (Isaiah 61:1–3).
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