Why do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

Why do bad things happen to good people?

Wow, this is one of the more difficult questions to address from non-believers and even some believers. This is a mystery that mankind does not have the complete answer to. Only God has the answer. I do not claim to have the answer to this question. The following is just my insight into the question.

In our minds, it does not make sense that “bad things happen to good people.” In our minds, we think that “good people” should be rewarded by God and only have “good things” happen to them. However, we need to realize a couple of crucial points.

The first point is that our lives on Earth are a mere blink in time compared to an eternity with God. The purpose of our lives on Earth is to prepare us for an eternity with God. So, the question to consider is how does a short period of discomfort on Earth compare to an eternity of bliss with God?

The second point is that God’s thoughts and mind are not like ours. God’s actions and thoughts are based on the whole eternity of our universe.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the Earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV)

The bottom line is that God is looking for a different outcome of circumstances than we are. Our minds are only concerned with the present or near future. God’s mind is concerned with eternity.

Consider the parent who has to “force” his first-grade child to do something “painful or uncomfortable,” such as turning off a cartoon and learning the alphabet. The child is only concerned with his short-term desires and comfort. However, the parent is concerned with the long-term well-being of the child.

The child cannot see the long-term benefit of doing something unpleasant (studying.) At the same time, the parent understands that the discomfort of studying is greatly outweighed by the long-term benefit of learning to read and write.

The parent knows that the discomfort will help their child become a better person and that if the parent shielded the child from the discomfort, the child would not grow and become a person that is prepared to be successful in life.

In the same manner, God knows that the discomfort we experience during our time on Earth will enable us to grow and become the people that are prepared for an eternity with him.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4 ESV)

The book of Job is a story of how God allows “bad things happen to a good person.” Job was a righteous man that God allowed tragedy to come into his life to test and grow his faith in God, while increasing his understanding of God. Book of Job

Being a Christian is to understand that we do not have all the answers but also understanding that God is in control of our lives and the world. We must have faith that God knows what is best for our lives and all of mankind. God has the big picture, and we can only see the small picture.