What about children?

By Rex A Lones

We are not just innocent people wandering around with random bad things happening to us. God could stop them if He wanted to, right? God created mankind perfect, with a free will, and we demanded our independence. We have been granted it! That’s the simple answer as to why He allows evil to exist. Free will was our first gift from God.

It was the choice of Adam and Eve to reject Gods law and give into the temptation evil offered them. Sin was born due to our own selfish desire for independence apart from God. What we may see as random events are part of a carefully crafted plan by the enemy of our mortal souls. His desire was to attack the very heart of God Himself. Call him/it whatever you like but he/it is pure evil and stands against the holiness of our Creator.

What about children?

The hardest thing for me to understand is why God allows children to be abused, neglected or murdered. It is the most senseless evil in the world. Or is it? It makes perfect sense to me that the evil one wants to attack Gods creation at the earliest age possible. Wound a child and scar an adult!

We know that when children are loved, nurtured and protected they can accomplish great good. Does that mean that the child who was abused has less to offer the world around them? Not hardly! In fact, some of mankind’s greatest accomplishments were made by abused children who overcome their senseless adversity and went on to do great things.

Some of the most effective teachers and counselors started their journey as victims. They are some of the most compassionate humans alive. It was out of their adversity that their calling, their mission in life was born. They have seen evil from the inside out. That does not mean that out of every evil deed committed by man, good will emerge but for those who have true faith in God, it can! (Roman’s 8:28)

ALL things work TOGETHER for good!

While I continue to struggle with this issue, I have learned some things that help me navigate this journey and gives me hope. The first thing to understand is the true character of God Himself. God is LOVE! Most importantly is that God is good to ALL and that certainly includes children.

As a matter of fact, the body of scripture tells us that God has a special place in His heart for the innocent children born into this world. God is also fair. He will judge every person based on what they do with the love He has given us all. If we spurn His love and choose to embrace evil then our payment (wages) will be eternal death.

I believe that the Bible teaches us that those who are not able to understand the difference between good and evil are protected by Gods grace. This “age of accountability” is a time determined by God, at which a person can be held responsible for their actions. The character of God provides a special grace to those who are not mature enough to understand the difference between good and evil.

The grace God gives them does not shield them from persecution or suffering but does protect their eternal souls until they can reason and decide for themselves. Unfortunately, while Gods grace may help protect a child from eternal separation from Him, the emotional, mental and physical damage can be severe.

It is unfair what an abuse victim goes through but in the end, they must choose to follow God despite their abuse. They must take responsibility for their life regardless of what others do to them. They can choose to live in self pity with a victim mentality or they can choose healing and acceptance.

While child abuse is wicked, children are not!

I think the hardest thing to understand is WHY God allows abuse of children to happen. Despite the comments I’ve already offered, it just doesn’t seem fair. While not specifically addressed for the benefit of abuse victims per se, scripture tells us what the end result can be. Until mans reign on earth is over there will be sorrow and abuse but comfort is available. When abuse happens we need to remember Gods promise.

“God comforts us in ALL our suffering, SO THAT we may be able to comfort OTHERS in all their suffering, as we ourselves are being comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:4″ SUFFERING teaches us how to comfort others! Isn’t that what Jesus did on the old rugged cross 2,000 years ago?

Do you want to be remembered as a comforter? Remember, even abused children can grow up to be the best comforters around for they have seen grace from the inside out! Be ENCOURAGED

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