Why DO bad things happen to good people. This is an age old question, that for years
has stumped even the best of scholars. The thing people need to realize is that there is
no black or white, yes or no answer to this question. It can not be analyzed, or sorted
out by scientists or analysts to create a simple why or why not answer for the lay
person. The simple fact is, heartache, tragedy, and suffering is something that everyone
experiences. The thing people need to grasp hold of is understanding and the dealing of
these tragedies when they arise.
Take the story of a man named Job for example. Twenty-five hundred years ago when the
earth was ridden by sin and disarray Satan appeared to God and told him to look at all
the sin that was going on in the world. Gods simple reply to that was, Yes, but have you
observed my servant Job? He is obedient and faithful to me even though all around him
are sinning against me."
"The reason for that is because of all that you give to him! Take from him all that you
have granted , and then see how loyal he is", replied Satan.
"Very well", said God," It is done." And with that, he accepted Satan's challenge.
With out warning to Job, God destroyed Jobs house, killed his children, and slaughtered
Job's cattle. He then cursed Job with painful boils all over his skin, so to make his
every movement filled with excruciating pain. Many times Job's wife asked him why he
didn't just curse God, and ensue Gods wrath to strike him dead. Job's friends told him
to denounce his faith in God, after all look where it got him. Yet Job remained faithful
to God's will. When God saw how devoted and trustworthy this humble servant was to him,
he appeared to Job and rewarded him with a new home, new children, and a new fortune.
God came through for a servant who was faithful and true. Most people in this situation
would have questioned God at the first sign of problems. Job on the other hand knew that
God had a plan for his life, and that the things that were happening to him, all though
painful, were all part of God's intricate plan. Job put his trust in God even in the
worst of circumstances, and God rewarded him for his faithfulness.
Where is God when things in your life just aren't making any sense? Is he even around
all the time, or is it just at his convenience? How much does he really care about the
little stuff? These questions pose a great, thought provoking topic! The fact is, God
is there all the time. He does interact with us on a daily basis- especially in four
specific areas.1
1. God is working in our lives, even when it seems like he isn't listening or it seems
like he has taken an extended vacation from your life.
Whether it seems like it or not, God is always working in your life. His intricate plan
is constantly being spun out. Just because there may be a point in your life where it
seems like things are going slow or that it seems like God isn't working, doesn't mean
that he isn't. "With God, even when nothing is happening-something is happening."2 That
is the cool thing about God. He is always at work in our lives in his own unique way,
even when our prayers seem to be going unanswered. It is important that your faith in
God is not based on ephemeral emotions, but on the authority of the written Word.3 Jesus
told us that he would never leave us(Matthew 28:20).4 He said, "For where two or three
are gathered in my name, there I am also."(Matthew 18:20).5 He is "a friend that sticks
closer than a brother."(Proverbs 18:24).6 God promises to us time and time again in his
Word that he will always be there for us no matter what the circumstances. All we need
to do is call on his name and he will answer.
2. God's has his timing all planned out and it is always perfect, even when he seems
way off!
Dr. James Dobson once said, "One of the greatest destroyers of faith is timing that
doesn't fit our preconceived notions. We live in a fast paced world where we have come
to expect instant responses to every desire and need. Instant coffee. Instant potatoes.
Instant cash from the little money machine. Instant relief for sore muscles and minor
backache. It's all most our birthright to make the world jump at our demands. But God
doesn't operate that way. He is never in a hurry. And sometimes, He can be agonizingly
slow in solving the problems we bring to his attention. It's almost enough to make an
impatient believer give up and try something else."7 It could not have been said any
better. The whole thing that God want's to know is, how much do we really trust him?
Will we ever give up on him just because things aren't going our way? Take the story of
Lazurus for an example. Lazurus, a very good friend and devoted follower of Jesus, had
become deathly ill. His sisters, Mary and Martha sent for the aid of Jesus in their time
of need. For days they watched for Jesus, and for days they saw no one. After days of
no response from Jesus, and a steady decline of health, Lazurus died. His sisters were
grief stricken! "Why didn't Jesus answer our call? Doesn't he care?" The fact is,
Jesus cared more than anyone. He appeared then four days later to the tomb of Lazurus,
and called him fourth from the tomb. You see, Jesus was not late at all. By His clock
he was right on time. He had used the resurrection of Lazurus as a display of God's
great powers to on looking unbelievers. God let everything play out in his own sweet
time. And He will do the same for you if you just let him.
3. For some odd reason, we are incredibly important and precious to God.
After all the trouble that we give God. After all of the times we turn our backs on
him, after all of the crap that we put him through, he still loves us very much. He
would have it no other way. God knows everything about us and cares for us no matter
what we do to him. Psalms 139 says: "O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You
know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my
going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways."8 You see Jesus knows
everything, and everything has already been planned. We can't tell him what is what.
That isn't the way it works. His plan is the final law and we have to trust him and
follow his guidience. If we do this then he promises that he will work everything out
for us in the end.
4. You can't fight with God and hope to win. It just doesn't work that way.
Picture if you will Richard Simmons, and Myke Tyson going head to head. Who would win?
Um... if you guessed Richard Simmons then I think you need to loose some unwanted
fat...between your ears! This crazy little senario is just a hint of what it is like for
us to try to "box" with God. We can't win! We can not demand from God. He will reveal
in his own sweet time. I mean he is the creator of the universe! I think he has that
right! God is a very loving and caring God, but one thing he does not mess around with
is demands. Don't be upset if God doesn't grant a request or a plea from you. If he
closes the door in your face don't be upset! Know that it was done for a reason, and that
he played out the "peices" just like he wanted too. If we trust in the Lord will all our
ming soul, and strength then he will lead us where he want's to. And a person in God's
will, is a person on their way to heaven.
When heartache, and problems arise it is important to remember that God is doing
everything for a reason. Seek him and know that he is holy. He want's to lead the life
that he has given you in the direction that he want's to. Just put all your trust in him
and remember, he does care for you and will be there for you. Even when "bad things
happen to good people"(you!).
WORKS CITED
1 Dr. James Dobson, Holding On To Your Faith-Even When God Does't Make Sense. (Tyndale
House Publisher, Inc.: c1993) 45.
2 Dobson 49.
3 Dobson 49.
4 The Illustrated Bible, Living Values Edition,(David C. Cook Publishing Co.: c1989)
Matthew 28:20.
5 The Illustrated Bible, Matthew 18:20.
6 The Illustrated Bible, Proverbs 18:24.
7 Dobson 50.
8 The Illustrated Bible, Psalms 139.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Harold S. Kushner, When Bad Things Happen to Good People, Schocken Books, Inc.: c1981.
The Illustrated Bible, Living Values Edition, David C. Cook Publishing Co.: c1989.
Dr. James Dobson, Holding On To Your Faith-Even When God Dosen't Make Sense, Tyndale
House Publisher, Inc.: c1993.
Lewis B. Smedes, Forgive and Forget, Harper and Row Publishers, Inc.: c1984.
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