Have you ever noticed how children easily believe in things that even sound illogical to adults? They believe that prayer can heal, that angels protect them while they sleep, or that God hears their voices even though humans cannot. While adults often struggle with logic, doubt, and past wounds, children accept spiritual truths with open hearts. Why is that?
Open Minds, Tender Hearts
Neurologically, children’s brains are still in a developmental phase. They are not yet fully formed in terms of skepticism or reality filters like adults. Their brains tend to be more plastic and open to receiving new information. Psychology calls this the “high imagination” phase, where children can distinguish reality from fantasy but are not yet rigid in rejecting things they do not fully understand.
In Matthew 18:3, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” This does not mean God wants us to be childish, but to have a believing heart like children. Children believe because they are not yet burdened by failure, shame, or fear that we often experience as adults.
Children and Natural Spirituality
Research in developmental psychology shows that children have a natural spiritual sensitivity. They sense the wonder of nature, respond sincerely to prayer, and have curiosity about existential questions like “Who created the heavens?” or “Where does God live?”
We might be surprised, but it turns out that faith does not start from knowledge, but from trust. Children trust the love and authority of their parents, and when parents introduce God, they easily transfer that trust to God as well.
What Can We Learn?
As adults, we often get trapped in logic and doubt. But children teach us that faith begins with trust, not with answers. Perhaps that is why Jesus raised children as a model of faith in His Kingdom. In Luke 18:17, it is written, “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Let us learn from children—not to be naive, but to regain a heart willing to believe. God does not call us to understand everything first, but to believe that He is good, even though we have not seen everything.
