FamilyLife Today® Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen? On Keeping Faith When It Does: Tim & Aileen Challies
Mar 2, 2026
Aileen Challies, a mother who navigated grief, parenting, and leaning on community and God. Tim Challies, author and longtime blogger on faith and loss. They recount the sudden death of their son, the shock and differing ways they grieved, the struggle and comfort of worship, and how church and neighbors stepped in to care.
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Remembering Nick As A Kind Future Pastor
- Aileen shares who Nick was: exuberant, introspective, came to Christ at 13, aimed to be a pastor, and was engaged to Wren.
- She emphasizes his kindness, quirky sarcasm, and that he wanted to live for God's glory.
Grief Languages Explain Different Mourning Styles
- Grief languages vary like love languages; people process loss very differently and it's not a measure of caring.
- Tim warns against assuming your way is the right way and urges giving space for differing grief responses.
Give Your Spouse Space To Grieve
- Give your spouse room to grieve in their own way and avoid assuming a different pace means they don't care.
- Aileen says an early letter advising husbands to give wives space was crucial to protecting their marriage.
