As children grow—especially in the teen years—they begin asking deeper, more challenging questions about the world, their faith, and the character of God. One of the hardest questions they may ask is: If God is good and powerful, why does he allow evil to continue?
Many parents feel unprepared to answer this. It’s tempting to avoid the conversation altogether, hoping it will go away. But silence often leads our kids to search for answers elsewhere—in a world that offers explanations without hope, justice without mercy, or worse, no God at all.
So how do we begin to respond to this question as Christian parents—giving our kids answers anchored in Scripture, honest about reality, and full of gospel hope?
1. Start with the End in View
Scripture is clear: evil will not last forever.
Revelation 21:4 promises a day when “He will wipe away every tear… death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore.” God’s justice is not indifferent or delayed without purpose. He will make all things right. But that day has not yet come.
The question, then, is why the delay? Why doesn’t God wipe away all evil now?
2. God Can—and Does—Use Evil for Good
God is never the author of evil, but he is always sovereign over it. That means even the worst acts of wickedness cannot thwart his purposes.
The story of Joseph is a powerful example. Sold into slavery by his brothers, unjustly imprisoned, and forgotten—yet in the end Joseph declares, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Gen. 50:20). God used their evil choices to save many lives during a famine.
Even more profound is the cross of Jesus. The crucifixion was the greatest evil in history—humanity murdering the sinless Son of God. And yet, in that very act, God accomplished the greatest good: the redemption of sinners. As Peter preached, “This Jesus…you crucified and killed…but God raised him up” (Acts 2:23-24).
God doesn’t just respond to evil; he weaves it into his plan in ways that bring about his glory and our ultimate good (Rom. 8:28).
3. God is Patient—for the Sake of Redemption
When we ask, “Why hasn’t God stopped evil yet?,” we must remember that his delay is not due to indifference, but mercy.
2 Peter 3:9 tells us: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise… but is patient… not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” God’s patience is an invitation—for more people to turn to him and be saved.
Think of the apostle Paul. Before his conversion, he violently persecuted Christians. Most would’ve seen him as hopeless. But God saved him, and through Paul the gospel spread across the Roman world. What would have happened if God had ended evil before saving Paul?
Many of us could say the same. God was patient with our evil, drawing us to himself through Christ. His delay meant salvation for us. He is still writing redemptive stories, even when we can’t see them.
4. Evil is Real, But Not Final
We should never minimize the reality or pain of evil. It wounds. It devastates. As parents, we must be tender when our children feel that weight—especially when they or someone they love has suffered.
But we can also testify that no pain is wasted in the hands of our Redeemer. God brings beauty from ashes. He turns mourning into joy (Isa. 61:1-3). One day, Jesus will return to judge evil fully and restore all things.
Until then, we live in the tension—grieving what is wrong while clinging to the one who will make it right.
Encouragement for Parents
You don’t need to have all the answers. What your child needs most is not a perfect theological argument, but a parent who humbly walks with them, points them to Christ, and reminds them that we can trust God even when life doesn’t seem to make sense in the moment.
And sometimes, that means simply saying: “I don’t know.” It’s okay to admit that mystery remains. It’s okay to lament with your child and to model that being a mature Christian doesn’t mean having all the answers—it means knowing whom to trust when we don’t.
Invite their questions. Open the Bible with them. And most of all, keep lifting their eyes to Jesus—the one who faced evil head-on at the cross and triumphed over it in love.
Because of him, the story doesn’t end in darkness. It ends in glory.
