My 7 Year Old Asked the Hardest Question About God

1w ago1 min read

We're at dinner and my son asks out of nowhere 'If God is good why do bad things happen to good people?' I sat there for a minute because this kid just asked something theologians have debated for centuries. Instead of giving him some watered down answer I told him the truth as best I understand it. That the world is broken but God is still good, that even when we don't understand everything He asks us to trust Him, and that faith isn't about having all the answers it's about having a relationship with Jesus. He seemed satisfied with that. Reminded me that my job isn't to have all the answers but to lead them to ask the right questions and point them toward Jesus for the answers that matter. Parenting is the hardest ministry I'll ever do.

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Comments(6)

DDavid R.New Dad1w ago

Oh man, the theodicy question. We went through this a few months ago and honestly it was humbling. I told my son that sometimes the answer is 'I don't know' and that faith isn't about having all the answers. He seemed okay with that. Are you doing any religious education with him?

CChuck M.Regular1w ago

Man, that's the one that gets you. My oldest hit me with something similar at the park last year and I just froze. I think honesty is the way to go - kids can handle knowing that even good people go through tough stuff, it doesn't mean God isn't there.

KKarl J.Regular1w ago

Those are the moments that stick with you as a dad. I'd probably just tell him that bad things happen to everyone but we're not alone in it, and that's where faith comes in. Seven's old enough to understand that life isn't simple.

JJerome S.Regular1w ago

That's a tough one to field over dinner. When my kids ask the heavy questions I just try to be real with them instead of giving some canned answer. Sounds like your son's already got a good head on his shoulders.

NNate B.Regular1w ago

That question is rough because it deserves a real answer, not a quick brush-off. I've found that being honest about doubt while still holding onto faith is more powerful than pretending I have it all figured out. Kids can smell the BS.

DDavid R.New Dad1w ago

Seven year olds ask the best and hardest questions. My daughter came at me with something similar last year and I just sat with it instead of trying to fix it. Sometimes they just need to know their question matters.