Faith

When Bad Things Happen to Good People

by Vernita Simmons
11/20/17
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Life is going well and then something bad happens. You’re inclined to think; “Since God controls all things, If God is so good, why He allows bad things to happen to good people?”  “This is a most profound question. In my book, “Capturing The Spirit Of God’s Word with Vernita”, I discuss this question in great detail from both lessons learned from the story of Job and from my own experience of losing my job to abuse of power in September 2012 after serving faithfully for more than fifteen years. Not only did this result in being unemployed for four years but going without any means of viable income too.

In summary, the enemy challenged God to allow him to attack Job. With the exception of his life, God granted the request. God knew something the enemy didn’t. He knew Job would remain faithful no matter what. (1). This is proven in Job’s response.²¹ And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”²² In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong. (Job 1:21-22, ESV). Like Job, we lack the knowledge to fully understand the ways of God.

Now, you ask this question based on your perception that you consider yourself a good person. But the Bible makes it plain that we are flawed and tainted with sin. ²⁰ Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who always does good and who never sins. (Ecclesiastes 7:20, AMP) -Romans 3:10-18; 1 John 1:8.  You see, what God considers good, we fall utterly short of. We all possess a sinful nature. Even after accepting Christ as our Savior, we all have fallen short of God’s glory and yet God loves us and bestows His goodness upon us. (Romans 3:23). He paid the penalty for our sin. (Romans 6:23). Therefore, we owe a debt we won’t ever be able to pay. He paid a debt we didn’t deserve Him to pay.

Yes, bad things do happen to good people. These things happen through no fault of their own. In a word, they didn’t deserve for such to occur. But God always has a reason for these bad things that happen which we don’t comprehend. What’s more, my question is why do good people believe they should be exempted from bad things happening to them? Not even Jesus, Himself was exempted from being treated badly. (Isaiah 53:3). The Pharisees sought ways to accuse Him (Luke 6:7). The scribes referred to Him as a blasphemer (Mark 2:7). Also, the Pharisees looked down on Him because He ate with tax collectors and sinners (Luke 5:30). In their eyes, these are all customs of a bad person. But we all know that God is good, full of love, just and true, righteous and pure in all His ways, a friend that loveth at all times, and merciful.

Life guarantees bad things will happen because as we build relationships with others we become vulnerable to such to occur. Hence, another question to you however is; “why do people blame God for the terrible events in a person’s life which were afflicted by the hands of a willing participant who choose to hurt others? Much of injurious acts are the direct effects of another’s willingness to sin.  Nevertheless, we must know that God loves us, and before any pain touches us, it has to go through His hands. Sometimes, God uses the pain inflicted on us by others as an opportunity for us to go through it and eventually cling to Him in desperation for help. These painful life events can sometimes anchor our faith in the Lord before being crushed beyond measure. Therefore, you have a choice to either trust God no matter what or to harbor hatred toward those who inflict pain in your life. You can allow these painful experiences to make you stronger and wiser or you can become the victim and retaliate. (2).            

So, rather than perceiving God as someone who sits on His Great White Throne passing down badjudgments upon good people, your reaction should simply be to trust Him even when it doesn’t make sense. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV). He will take what was meant to crush your spirit and what was meant to utterly destroy you and turn it into good. It may be painful going thru, but an experience that will aid you going forward. (3). So, choose to forgive, refuse to use venting as a means to bring it up every opportunity you can, seek not to get even or hope something bad happens to your offender. Besides, good people don’t act in such a way. Do they? Beloved, don’t allow such times to infect your relationship with God because it is always good in the bad. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,^[a] for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28). He will work this out for your greater good. God, loves you!