Does God Make Mistakes?
See also: Why did God make mosquitoes? Why did God make Satan? Why did God let this happen to me?
How you might answer: We don't believe that God makes mistakes, but sometimes it can feel like it! Sometimes the things that we want to happen aren't the same as what God has planned, and that can be really upsetting. Many people in the Bible - and Christians throughout the ages - have struggled with the same thing, so you're not alone. Sometimes there's something for us to learn through whatever happened, but sometimes there's not. Ultimately, we believe that God has given us the freedom to choose and to act - a truly precious gift - but sometimes we or others don't always use well, and it leads to mistakes and problems.
What might be behind their question: Most kids - and many adults - assume that because God created the world, it should be perfect. This makes quite a bit of sense: we do talk often about God's power and God's love, so why shouldn't things be perfect? Why would God make bugs that annoy us - or, less trivially - why would God create Satan if Satan was always going to be evil? It's a complicated question - one that is wrapped up in the question of evil as well - but oftentimes kids ask this question to ponder "Why did God let this happen to me?" Experiencing loss or hurt has shaken many people's faith, particularly when God feels absent in that time, so it's important to be a supportive, loving presence by finding out what is behind your child's question and, if needed, helping them with whatever is troubling them.
How you might answer: We don't believe that God makes mistakes, but sometimes it can feel like it! Sometimes the things that we want to happen aren't the same as what God has planned, and that can be really upsetting. Many people in the Bible - and Christians throughout the ages - have struggled with the same thing, so you're not alone. Sometimes there's something for us to learn through whatever happened, but sometimes there's not. Ultimately, we believe that God has given us the freedom to choose and to act - a truly precious gift - but sometimes we or others don't always use well, and it leads to mistakes and problems.
What might be behind their question: Most kids - and many adults - assume that because God created the world, it should be perfect. This makes quite a bit of sense: we do talk often about God's power and God's love, so why shouldn't things be perfect? Why would God make bugs that annoy us - or, less trivially - why would God create Satan if Satan was always going to be evil? It's a complicated question - one that is wrapped up in the question of evil as well - but oftentimes kids ask this question to ponder "Why did God let this happen to me?" Experiencing loss or hurt has shaken many people's faith, particularly when God feels absent in that time, so it's important to be a supportive, loving presence by finding out what is behind your child's question and, if needed, helping them with whatever is troubling them.