I know that I am not alone when it comes to pondering “Why Bad Things Happen To Good People?”

It’s actually something that I’ve wondered for many years. Personally, I’ve gone through some terrible things, even recently… so have a lot people that I know…So are so many people around the world. And so, the question I ask is why?

I posed the question on Twitter and someone responded with an interesting thought that I agree with but it still doesn’t totally answer my question.

Back in my college days I did this humanities project where me and my friend Carmen took the book of Job (from the Bible) and turned it into a rap to Snoop’s version of La Di Da Di. We acted it out and I was the one rapping from Job’s perspective. (I wish I had an understanding of the Power of Words then because I would not have done it)… Anyway, the reason I bring this up is because as I thought about plausible reasons why bad things happen to good people, the book of JOB continuously comes to mind.

If you know the story of Job, you know that he was a good guy. According to the Bible, Job was:

blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil

Sometimes when bad things happen to people, we tend to think that they must have done something to deserve it (or it wouldn’t be happening). From what I’ve read, seen, and experienced, there are times when that is the case…but there are also times when it’s not…like with Job. It is possible to be a good God fearing person and have bad things happen.

In Job’s case he suffered disaster after disaster not because he sinned or did anything wrong, but because God allowed Satan to test Job.

Job 1:6-12 (New King James Version)
Satan Attacks Job’s Character
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.
7 And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?”
So Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”
8 Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”
9 So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing?
10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”
12 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”  So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

Job lost almost everything at no fault of his own. Through it all he did not stop believing in God. The key point that I take from this is not only to keep believing in times of trouble but such times are a test to see if we will indeed keep believing.

James 1:12

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

1 Peter 1:6-7

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

So now I have two answers as to why bad things happen to good people:

1. If you never experience bad you can’t recognize/appreciate the good
2. Bad times (adversity) is a test

While that might be answer enough for some people, I still felt like I needed more answers. (When you’re going through it and you know you’ve done nothing wrong you leave no stone unturned for answers). This made me think of that saying “Nobody said it would be easy”, which lead me to this:

“…In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” ~Jesus (John 16:33)

While this isn’t really an answer as to why bad things happen to good people, it is kind of a reminder that no matter what, everyone will experience trials and tribulations regardless of how good, saved, sanctified etc…they are… Its the way of the world.  The interesting thing here (that is often hard to do when looking adversity in the face), is to Be Of Good Cheer! That is often easier said than done. When someone comes with bad news or something terrible happens, its kind of hard to actually be of good cheer (I’ve been there too many times and know from first hand experience). But the issue comes up a few times in Bible.

James 1:2-4 says:

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

As I meditated on this, I realized that it’s part of the answer to why bad things happen to good people. Trials build character which lead to overall growth. I hear people say “enlarge my territory” all of the time. I’ve said it, asked for it, prayed for it, and received it many times. In order to enlarge we must grow. With growth comes growing pains. If every opportunity is a learning opportunity, it is fair to say that the trials we encounter in life can provide the wisdom, knowledge, experience, and understanding that we need in order to grow (enlarge our territory). I guess if that be the case, then it should make it easier for us to be of good cheer and count it all joy…

So far, that’s 3 answers as to why bad things happen to good people:

1. If you never experience bad you can’t recognize/appreciate the good
2. Bad times (adversity) is a test
3. Trials and tribulations build character and/or growth

It is said, seek and you shall find. The more I searched for answers the more I found them. According to Hebrews 12:5-11

And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons.

For what son is not disciplined by his father?

If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline),

then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.

Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it.

How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!

Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best;

but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. ¹

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.

Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

From reading this passage it seems clear that in order to be accepted as a child of God you must be disciplined as well as punished. I guess when you think about it makes sense. Jesus was (is) perfect and look how He suffered.  When I put it that way it makes the things I’m going through seem so trivial. We all have a cross to bear. He did say “pick up your cross and follow me.”

Hardships as discipline…when I think of discipline I think of punishment for correcting wrong or bad behavior.  But the word discipline also means:

Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement.

Once again this points us back to growing.

I’m one of those folks that doesn’t believe in coincidences. I believe everything happens in its season and for a reason.  That belief in itself is not enough to really answer the question at hand. However, my reasoning for the belief does make some sense of why bad things happen to good people.

When it comes to things happening in season, my thinking goes to Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

A Time for Everything

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

When it comes to things happening for a reason, what always comes to mind is:

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” Romans 8:28

God will take an awful situation and turn it around. He always has a ram in the bush. We just have to trust Him

Fives Answers To Why Bad Things Happen To Good People:

1. If you never experience bad you can’t recognize/appreciate the good
2. Bad times (adversity) is a test
3. Trials and tribulations build character and/or growth
4. Hardships are a form of discipline
5. Everything happens in its season for a reason

Knowing all of this certainly makes it easier to deal with in times of trouble. When I’m “going through it” I find comfort in reading the Bible and listening to music that speaks to my spirit.

I always know that there is a blessing in the end… so with the patience of Job I run the race of Faith! I hope this comes to you right on time.

Be Blessed!

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