“Why do bad things happen to good people?” is a question that is often asked when trying to understand why bad things happen in this world. The problem is, the question is wrong. The question implies something that is not true. The question begins with the wrong assumption. The question begins with the assumption that we, humans, are innately good. The question forgets the understanding of original sin (and we do not mean a sin that no one ever thought of before). The question forgets that we are born in sin and that we are sinful from conception.
Instead of asking “Why do bad things happen to good people?” we should ask, “why do good things happen to bad people.” The answer is that God is a God of love and He works every way possible to bring good to our lives. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:11, 12). God’s promise is always to work our the best for us in any and all situations. Paul reminds us, “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Again, God works to bring the best out of the worst.
We often see only the bad in any situation. As a child we did not like it when our parent would “fuss” at us for walking out into the street without looking both ways. It was not until later in life that we realized that their “fussing” at us may have saved our lives. Likewise, our Lord is our loving Father in heaven. There are times when He disciplines us and there are times when sin and temptations come from the devil. In any and every situation that seems bad to us, God works to bring out the best for us. God works out the best for us because of His great love for us, a love that moved Him to give the life of His only Son on the cross for us, in our place. Notice, that in something as bad as Jesus crucifixion on the cross, God worked the best out, for us, even the forgiveness of sins.
The ultimate for which we pray in this petition is to die a peaceful death and to be taken from this vale of tears to be with God Himself in heaven. Heaven is the place where there will be no more evil, no more bad, no more being disciplined. Heaven is a place where there will be no more temptation to possible fall into sin and temptation.
There was a song on the radio some time ago titled, “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden.” God does not promise an easy life. As a matter of fact, because of the devil, as Christians we might expect an even harder life. The devil already has unbelievers, so he does not need to work on them and tempt them. Christians he does not have, so he must spend his time working on tempting us away from the Lord, thus our life becomes a life of hardships. Which means that if we are having an easy time going through life, maybe we need to make sure we are on the right track.
Praise the Lord that as we go through the struggles, trials and temptations of life we do so knowing that Jesus has already suffered what we are suffering and more. He knows and understands, so that we can confidently pray to Him knowing that He knows and understands and will answer our prayer according to what He knows is best for us, according to His good and gracious will.
Dear Father in heaven, forgive me for thinking that I have it so rough in this life. Help me to see Your ever guiding hand leading me along the paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake. Help me to be thankful, even for the bad things that happen, knowing that You can and do work out the best in any and every situation, according to Your perfect knowledge. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.
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