Why do bad things happen to good people? I have asked myself that question many times, and following yesterday's senseless and tragic murder in Jamestown, Ky., I see many people asking that same question.
I believe that God allows us to suffer so that we will draw closer to him. Why else would God, who is so loving, let us go through things that cause us pain? It is hard to understand why bad things happen to good people, and why good things happen to bad people, why the righteous get what the wicked deserve, and why the wicked get what the righteous deserve.
In Ecclesiastes chapter 8, King Solomon, a very wise man, spoke of these ironies in life. He knew one thing for sure when he said: "Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:" (Eccles. 8:12)
According to the words of King Solomon, God does not tell us everything about why we go through certain things. He is sovereign and has worked ALL things out in His own way.
We live in a fallen world
Because of what happened in the garden of Eden, we live in a fallen world filled with evil and sin.
So it's not God, but rather mankind that created this problem. God has a much bigger picture than we could ever imagine. So there is no way we can know God's purposes in all instances. There are times when bad things happen to good people, and we will not be able to understand why.
We don't know what God knows. We don't know what is in people's hearts. We don't don't what their future holds. We don't know God's plans. We don't know God's mind and possibly His need to call some people to Himself NOW, and in other cases, discipline them, or help them grow through suffering, or to motivate people to do what needs to be done to accomplish His purpose.
God is righteous and loving and just. His purpose WILL be accomplished
Down through history, many Christians have been martyred, sometimes horribly tortured. But, in almost every story, it is revealed how that person's death served God's purpose. With each martyr, God's kingdom grew and spread. God's purpose CAN be accomplished through bad things that happen to good people.
We are filled with grief when we lose someone we love. We are heartbroken and overcome with sorrow when we see innocent people killed by evil. "It's not right!" we say. "It's not fair!" But, we have to believe that everything is done or allowed by God, and is a part of His plan and purpose.
Life is fragile
For some, there will be no tomorrow. When God gives you the opportunity to know Him better, don't turn away. It may be your last chance for salvation.
For Christians, this life we have now is our worst life. Our best life will begin when this life ends. Our time on earth is brief and we can't expect to enjoy the promises of Heaven while here on earth. We should never expect more than this life can deliver. Our time on earth is unimportant compared with our time in heaven. If you are not a christian, this life you have now is your best life. The worst is yet to come - an eternity in hell.
Friend, don't let the latter be where you spend eternity.
Now is the time. Today is the day of salvation!
And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:35-40