Why Bad Things Happen to God's People
Let's enjoy this video first.
So many times do we find ourselves going through life happy and working hard. Then BAM! We get smashed in the face with one of life's watermelons.
- Family members die.
- Parents get divorced.
- Loved ones get assaulted, abused, kidnapped.
And way too many more.
One of the most commonly asked question today inside and outside Christian walls is this:
Why Do Bad Things Happen To God's People?
or
Why Does God Allow Bad Things To Happen To Good People?
Why is there so much death in this world? Why is there so much hurt? So much murder? So much anger, hatred, rape?
If there was truly a loving God out there, why does he allow so much pain in our lives?
First Things First
YOU DON'T DESERVE ANY GOOD THING.
Now, this may seem harsh, I know. But really, truly think about it. No matter how many good deeds you do, you still have evil inside of you.
If you've undressed women in your mind, you are lusting and an adulterer. Matthew 5:27-28
If you pirate music online, you're a thief.
If you've hated someone, you might as well have murdered them. 1 John 3:15
Read the bible. I'm not lying. We are all guilty of sin. Romans 3:23 Tells us that "ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." We've all broken God's law and we've all openly chosen against him. When we break the law, we are guilty, and as such, deserve punishment for that. No good judge would right the wrongs of a murderer because he started a charity. He still broke the law and is susceptible to punishment for that. And God is a good judge. We deserve punishment for our sins, nothing less. That's why God gives grace.
So, we need to realize something that one of my college professors once told me, "if good things happened to good people and bad things happened to bad people, there would be no good things in this world." The fact that any of us has any good thing is proof that God loves us unconditionally. We've all sinned and fallen short. We are all evil in our hearts. And none of us deserve grace, mercy, joy, or peace. This makes God's grace so much more amazing. The fact that we don't deserve it.
Which draws us to a deeper question...
Why Doesn't God Just Rid the World of All Evil?
Simple.
If God were to rid this world of all evil, He'd have to rid the world of us too. And he doesn't want that. He loves us too much.
Jesus, himself said in Mark 7:20-23,
"It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”
If we really want God to rid the world of all evil, than what we are doing is prayful suicide! We are literally asking God to recreate the flood of Genesis and wipe out mankind.
Think about it. Who brings pain and sorrow to others? Man. Who murders, lies and steals from people? Man. Who lusts, envies, hates, accuses others? Man. Who brought evil into this world? Satan? WRONG! Mankind did. We cause ourselves to believe that we are not at fault for the pain and suffering that the world endures. So we place blame on God. We shake our fists at heaven and ask why would a gracious and caring God create evil!?
But that question in itself is at fault.
God Did NOT Create Evil
God made evil possible, but mankind made it happen.
Without the opportunity to choose evil, we wouldn't understand God's great goodness and love. So, God gave us a choice to follow him.
If every man were attached to strings held by God, and he controlled our moves and words and worship and we pleased him by his pulling of the strings, we'd have absolutely no purpose. We need a choice to show that we can sincerely love him. This is the whole point of our existence. I love my girlfriend to death. But what makes her love so incredible is that she chose ME over all the other men in this world. Despite them being better looking, more charismatic, and more wealthy, she still chose to love me. That makes the love valuable.
Without evil, we would simply be a bunch of brainless robots programmed to worship God. And There is absolutely no love revealed in this.
God desires true love from us. But, In a world of free choices, God's will is rarely done! This is where pain, betrayal, hurt, and death come from. If He were to rid the world of evil without killing mankind, he'd have to strip them of their free will.
A world without Pain, without Death, and without Disease, doesn't need God.
Finally we should consider this statement. If our lives were completely perfect and faultless, without pain or death, we would never really have a reason to come to God. We would never need to talk to him, take comfort in His words, or gain council in his thoughts.
- Without danger, we don't need a Refuge - Psalm 46
- Without sickness, we don't need a healer - 1 Peter 2:24
- Without death, we won't appreciate Life - John 11:25
- Without evil, we will never truly understand God's goodness - Psalm 26
Lets Look at Job
We're beginning to understand the causes of pain and destruction in our lives, but what are we supposed to do about it? I believe we should look back to the one man in the Bible who wrestled with all of these questions we've been asking. We need to talk to Job.
If you don't know the story of Job, it begins like this:
One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty windswept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. Job 1:13-22
Job's response to all this pain and death and loss in incredible! He fell to his knees in worship of God! He still had the hope, peace, and joy that God gives. Now, of course he wasn't happy, but he had God. We need to realize that there is a difference between joy and happiness. Joy comes from relationship with Christ; happiness only comes from circumstances. If you believe that the purpose of life is for you to be happy, then you will never fulfill your purpose because life's circumstances don't always work out according to your plan.
Now, God allows bad things to happen, yes. But when they happen, we need to go to Him for comfort, help, and direction. He yearns to help us through the trials and the pain.
But, There's also a difference between God allowing things to happen and God wanting things to happen. God doesn't enjoy seeing us in pain and sorrow. That's why he offers himself to be our refuge, our healer, our strength!
"God will never give you more than you can handle."
This is one of the biggest LIES that is thrown around churches today. It's pure baloney!
Why? Because sometimes we need to be driven to a place where we realize that we cannot make it on our own. This is where true humility is born. True humility that leads us to the understanding that we cannot endure life's circumstances on our own. This is where we are pointed to Christ. He is the only one who can lead us and help us endure the struggles of life that we face.
Only in Him can we endure the pain, suffering and bad things that come into our lives.
Psalm 91:2
I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!"
When life throws watermelons in your face...
Take shelter in him, in prayer, and in his word.
Trust God. He knows what he is doing.
