We live in a world of pain and suffering. There is no one
who is not affected by the harsh realities of life, and the question “why do
bad things happen to good people?” is one of the most difficult questions in
all of theology. God is sovereign, so all that happens must have at least been
allowed by Him, if not directly caused by Him. At the outset, we must
acknowledge that human beings, who are not eternal, infinite, or omniscient,
cannot expect to fully understand God’s purposes and ways.
The book of Job deals with the issue of why God allows bad
things to happen to good people. Job was a righteous man (Job 1:1), yet he
suffered in ways that are almost beyond belief. God allowed Satan to do
everything he wanted to Job except kill him, and Satan did his worst. What was
Job’s reaction? “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him” (Job 13:15). “The
LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised” (Job
1:21). Job did not understand why God had allowed the things He did, but he
knew God was good and therefore continued to trust in Him. Ultimately, that
should be our reaction as well.
When wondering why God would allow bad things to happen to
good people, it’s also good to consider these four things about the bad things
that happen:
1) Bad things may happen to good people in this world, but
this world is not the end. Christians have an eternal perspective: “We do not
lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being
renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us
an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is
seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is
unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16–18). We will have a reward some day, and
it will be glorious.
2) Bad things happen to good people, but God uses those bad
things for an ultimate, lasting good. “We know that in all things God works for
the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”
(Romans 8:28). When Joseph, innocent of wrongdoing, finally came through his
horrific sufferings, he was able to see God’s good plan in it all (see Genesis
50:19–21).
3) Bad things happen to good people, but those bad things
equip believers for deeper ministry. “Praise be to . . . the Father of
compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so
that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive
from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also
our comfort abounds through Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:3–5). Those with battle scars
can better help those going through the battles.
4) Bad things happen to good people, and the worst things
happened to the best Person. Jesus was the only truly Righteous One, yet He
suffered more than we can imagine. We follow in His footsteps: “If you suffer
for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you
were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you
should follow in his steps. ‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in
his mouth.’ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when
he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who
judges justly” (1 Peter 2:20–23). Jesus is no stranger to our pain.
Romans 5:8 declares, “But God demonstrates his own love for
us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Despite the
sinful nature of the people of this world, God still loves us. Jesus loved us
enough to die to take the penalty for our sins (Romans 6:23). If we receive
Jesus Christ as Savior (John 3:16; Romans 10:9), we will be forgiven and
promised an eternal home in heaven (Romans 8:1).
God allows things to happen for a reason. Whether or not we
understand His reasons, we must remember that God is good, just, loving, and
merciful (Psalm 135:3). Often, bad things happen to us that we simply cannot
understand. Instead of doubting God’s goodness, our reaction should be to trust
Him. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths
straight” (Proverbs 3:5–6). We walk by faith, not by sight.
Recommended Resource: Everything Happens for a Reason? God's
Purposes in a World Gone Bad by Paul Enns
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