Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

There is a common misconception that once you choose to receive salvation and live your life for the Lord, all your existing problems and any future difficulties will go away. Unfortunately, this not only isn’t biblical, but it also isn’t true.

We live in a fallen and broken world. Troubles, loss, and grief are all a part of living in this world. The Bible tells us that troubles will come. It rains on both the just and the unjust. No one is immune to difficulties, suffering, grief, and loss. Even Jesus wept.

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NLT)

The Bible doesn’t promise us that we will not experience these things, but it does tell us that when we do, we will not be alone. The Lord will be with us, strengthening us and providing what we need. God will always take care of you no matter what your circumstances are (see Psalm 23:4, Matthew 28:20).

When my husband unexpectedly passed in 2023, I had so many questions. I wanted to know why he was suddenly no longer on this earth. I desperately wanted to know where God was in all of this. What was His purpose in letting this happen to me? I also wanted to know if there was something I could have done to prevent it. Have you been there?

While it’s natural to wonder why something happened and to wonder if there was something you could have done to prevent it from happening, there are many things in life we have no control over. Sometimes we end up with more questions than we will ever have answers for on this side of heaven.

When loss, suffering, and difficulties come, we have a choice. We can choose to either run away from God or we can choose to run towards God, rest in Him, and trust in His promises and who He is.

Over the last year, I have felt peace and comfort in the presence of the Lord in ways I have never felt before. I have also watched Him bring healing to me and provide everything I needed. I have felt joy amid my grief, and I have seen the Lord bring healing and peace to other people through what He is doing in my own life.

That is what the Bible promises—His presence and the hope that He will work all things for the good of those whom He loves and has called according to His purposes (see Romans 8:28).

I don’t know what you are going through, but God does. God is with you. Even if you can’t see Him through your tears, He is there. He has not forgotten about you, and He loves you more than you could ever know. I pray that you will be able to see God’s goodness and faithfulness in your life even when you walk through the valley. I pray that you have hope even when things seem hopeless. I pray that you lean hard on Jesus and trust Him to come through for you because He loves you.

But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” (Isaiah 43:1-3)

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Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.