“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)
In a world so broken, where do we run when the monsters are out? Where do we go when the news is too much? What do we tell our children about the evil in the world? Everywhere we turn there is a new act of senseless violence, catastrophe, disease, misfortune, hate, division, and strife. The world has always been this way since the beginning of time. From the time of Cain killing Abel to now. It’s disheartening and saddening and downright terrible.
I know that one day, I’ll hear these words from my children, “But Mom, why did God allow this to happen? Why is there such evil in the world? Why is there so much hate? Where was God? What can we do?”
With a heavy heart, full of all the faith I have, this is what I’ll tell them:
We run to Jesus. We cry and mourn with the hurting hearts. We listen more than we shout. We pray to listen to what God has to say instead of asking God for answers. We go out into our neighborhood and act with kindness. We love others as Jesus loves us. We might not be able to change the entire world, but our world can be changed with small actions done with great love.
God didn’t allow these terrible things to happen, my child. Evil did. But what God allows is for us to run to His refuge. He wants us to retreat in Him, to dig deeper into his word, and to continue to spread His message. It’s the only thing that can keep us positive in a world so negative. That’s what faith is.
No one is owed anything in this life. We’re not promised tomorrow. But when we choose to be believers of Christ, we are promised that His love reigns forever. He has already overcome the world, and one day He will come again.
“My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:2 NIV
That’s what I’ll tell them.
We can’t be blind to the realities of the world and stay silent. Some will say that our God has abandoned us. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Our faith matters. I’d rather walk toward Jesus in faith than walk away. It’s exactly what I’ll teach my children to do, too.
I’ll tell them that no matter what, we beat on. Oceans will crash, and the world of evil will fight to win. But God has already won. We are here to love like Jesus did. To spread God’s word. To be joyful in affliction.
“But Mom, will it really matter? Will my love I give to the world matter?”
Of course. Just like a skipping rock sending a ripple out into the ocean, it makes its way out and eventually touches the end of the ocean. That’s what your love will do. Love will always be HERE, because Jesus IS.
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
As it is written:
‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39 (NIV)
It’s only then I can tell my children that God brought them into this world to be truth tellers and world lovers, to spread the grace and peace that God has instilled in them. People will try to take that peace, joy, and love from us, but it’s a stain that cannot be wiped away.
I pray that in this broken world that we can all love like children do. Unashamedly. Unconditionally. Unequivocally. I pray that our faith will move mountains. Maybe then can the world be a better place.
May we all know love, be love, and show love. Amen.
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Amen. I will always run to Him and point my kids in the direction of our loving Savior.
Absolutely, Patricia! It’s the least we can do. Be blessed today and always!
This has been weighing so heavily on my heart lately. Beautifully said!
Thank you so much, Chelsea! I think it’s been on a lot of our hearts. Hope you have a beautiful week!
Beautifully said! Sometimes even as an adult I need to hear this. I’ll be saving this for when my girls ask.
Thanks, Alexandrea! I know it. Sometimes we just need to write down all our beliefs to hang on to them tightly. I know I do. ;) Hope you have a wonderful week!
Such a beautiful post, Kristy! XO
Thanks so much, Kelly! Hope you have a blessed week!
Wow, this is beautiful, so beautifully written and full of truth. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Thanks again, Demelza! So glad you liked it. Hope you have a blessed week!
Such a beautiful post. I feel the same way, it’s a scary world were in now. We all need God more than ever. ❤️❤️
Thank you, Shirri! It is a scary world. :/ Thank God there’s still hope. Hope you have a beautiful week!
Beautifully written. That verse (John 16:33) is what I turn to in hard times, He has overcome the world!
What a beautiful post Kristy! This is so true in every way. Watching the new lately has been so sad and my heart breaks a little more each day. But teaching my girls to love God and love as He does DOES make a difference.
Oh this post – it’s absolutely perfect. I have a heavy heart with all that’s going on in the world. We, as Christians know what’s happening and now more than ever we have to pray, intercede, and encourage one another. Yet our children… it’s hard to see the world they’re living in. To look back at our lives and say – wow – we never had to deal with this level, depth, and breadth of evil.
Yet our GOD is GREATER!
The scriptures you’ve shared are perfect to encourage and uplift and your words for our children is right on point.
Thanks for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).
Wishing you a lovely evening.
xoxo