Many scriptures note suffering as well as hope. God will be with us, forbidding those things that harass us here on earth, including disease, violence, and the destruction causing us to question why bad things happen to good people. Some things take time to be dealt with in their fullness; and many times the reason things take so long is because of God's divine timing for your life. and maybe He will explain to you the answer. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. But are you seeing things wrong? Still not sure how to deal with all the negative things that are happening to you? If you hadnt lost your job, you might never have considered applying for new positions elsewhere and so youd remain where you were. How do I recover spiritually from this? To those of you who are dealing with separation, separation occurs for a reason! Your record for getting through the tough times in life so far is 100%. Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. -Light (Gen. 1:4)-Separation of earth and seas (Gen. 1:10)-Night and day (Gen. 1:18)-Sea creatures and birds (Gen. 1:21)-Animals (Gen. 1:25)-Everything God made (Gen. 1:31). His body, however, succumbed to cancer. Why do I still continue to be hurt by things?" Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. Why Do Bad Things Happen? Physical death is just the death of the body, but the spirit lives on. - Sort By Book Order. Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. However, God used this suffering for hope to bridge the gap caused by sins deep chasm. I cant believe this has happened to me.. It is a time to reflect, pray, strengthen our relationship with God, grieve, and show love and compassion to those affected. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. The minimum-wage employee who does little outside of working and playing video games. And you experience more than one bad thing half of the time. There are no easy answers, just simple ones: growth and glory. So ask yourself whether the bad things that have recently happened to you have happened before. He restores my soul. 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 says, So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. Job in the Old Testament asked the same question after he lost everything he had, including his health. Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. David, in Psalms, tells his soul to praise the Lord. Problems prove integrity. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Yes, something unpleasant has happened to you, but you are not alone in that. Use these things as the fuel you need to ignite your engines and turn your life around. He fought hard. F For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Many times when people first accept Christ into their lives they believe that everything will go away in an instant. When Bad Things Happen: Judaism's First View on Wrestling with Suffering Through personal testimony and faith, one is able to receive and decipher God's message. Once we give these things over to Him, He is going to give us the ability to stand up and endure. But a man and a woman, Adam and Eve, rebelled against God. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.. Reason #1 - To Change Your Character It isn't when everything is hunky-dory that you end up experiencing a change in your character. God created us because He loves us. C And last but not least, if I didn't find a reason that applies to you just know and remember that all things are working for your good! You cant simply think your way out of a hole. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet . So yes, bad things happen to good people. For two chapters, we get to bask in the glory of a perfect . But if you secure your car, leave additional time on your journeys, and wash your hands thoroughly whenever is sensible, you learn from your mistakes and reduce the odds of bad things happening. Permissions So did his beautiful family. But sometimes there are times that He might not respond to that *specific* question because He wants you to just trust Him (been there my friend) but if you aren't in that season, He'll let you know! I gulped then muttered something about a fallen world, that life will never be perfect on earth regardless of whether were good, bad, or somewhere in between. We grow because when life hurts, we pay attention and we find out what is real and whom we can trust. Yet, some of them cause us to swirl like contents in a blender, dont they? J Romans 5:3-5 - And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also . And though this experience is painful, acceptance is not always a good thing. The Argument from Contingency: A Proof for God, 6 Verses to Cling to When You Are Overwhelmed. Christians have an eternal perspective: "We do not lose heart. What good can come out of this? Remember: God knows what it's like to suffer, because His Son, Jesus Christ, suffered and died on the cross for us. (Gen. 37- Gen. 47)-Jacobs sons endured a famine. I Proudly created with Wix.com. Good/Bad Yin/Yang Exercise: Take a piece of paper and fold it in half and on one side label "good" and the other "bad". Youve already taken the first step just by searching for and reading this article. Its a great way to get your thoughts and your worries out of your head so you can work through them. I have a friend who was finally going to be relieved from a difficult job position only to hear that the person coming in decided not to accept. He has already made the invitation through His Son Jesus. Many people doubt it's existence, but because they have personal experience, they can speak to it and call it out. However, He said, Not my will, but Yours. Jesus still endured the cross, but He came out on the other side alive and freed us. 21:4 (Hell wipe away every tear.). Jesus stood sinless, yet offered His life so that we might find forgiveness and join our Father in heaven. Thats the quick version, but theres more to the answer. January 27, 2010 Imagine if we removed the focus on man being good, believing instead that in every situationeven the bad onesGod is good. But trust me when I say that there is something that experience gives you that nothing else can touch. Scenario 1: To be in terrible debt is a very bad thing. Built to help you grow. Sometimes going through difficult times helps you to discover your purpose. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. The world is socialized to covet evil ideals such as power hunger, money hunger, worldly influence (in a way that harms others), and other things. Privacy Are you forgetting the pay rise you got in between your car getting stolen and you missing your flight? As a result, life on earth isnt perfect. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. The most numerous are probably the neutral events, followed by the good events, and finally the bad events number the fewest. N If God blocked every bad deed from happening to everyone, then we wouldn't truly have free will. But the world is full of billions of people. Your actions are your most powerful tool in getting through difficult situations. He endured the suffering, clinging to God. Salem Media Group. And for some people, this can cause confusion, anger, and maybe even feelings of betrayal towards God. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. An example of suffering in the Bible, one that continues to bring hope and restoration to a whole throng of people years later, is the life of Jesus. People were changed as a result. If your car has been stolen, youll need to ring the police and your insurance company. What does the Bible say about why we suffer? Counselors will tell you that feeling will follow fact. Its a part of life. But why is the world so evil? For the righteous man is taken away from calamity; Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. But for us to truly be free, we have to be free to make bad decisions, as well as good ones. More from this author7 Verses about Trees to Root You in Scripture7 Clues You Are Actually Sitting under a False Teacher5 Things You Didn't Notice in the Creation Account, Photo credit: Getty Images/KatarzynaBialasiewicz. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. So, heres the third reason why bad things keep happening to you: you arent learning your lesson. A Psalm of David. You treat people with respect, you help others when you can, and you try your best in the things that you do. Heres that link again if youd like to learn more about the service BetterHelp.com provide and the process of getting started. She contributes regularly at iBelieve.com and Crosswalk.com and is published in various print and online publications. These are general reasons that God has told me and every reason may not apply to your specific situation. Often, we see bad things as anchors that can hold us back. That is what it takes to act in humility and allow God to take control of your situation. And Jesus said to him, Why do you call me good? In the world you will have tribulation. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. But it can at least help you to stop thinking that the world must be against you. Take 30 seconds and fill out the "bad" side. In which case, these things didnt happen to you by themselves. This has come about, the Bible says, because sin like a deadly spiritual virus has invaded the world. (Ruth 1)-Hannah faced infertility and the taunting of others. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. And you may not have all the answers now as to why, but it will all make sense eventually. God is aware of everything that happens and has the ability to take what was intended for evil and use for good. For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord. I honestly don't believe this happens often because God is very merciful, gracious, and forgiving. If you continue to leave your car parked without additional security measures, it will continue to catch the eye of thieves. Why do I still feel pain? We are attracted to greatness. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Your mind goes into overdrive as you try to figure out what exactly has happened, how it happened, and who is to blame. Let no one say when he is tempted, I am being tempted by God, for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. The Lord blessed Jobs life twice as much as the earlier years. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. This righteous man broke out in sores from head to toe. Disclosure: this page contains affiliate links to select partners. Sometimes when bad things happen, we think that it's fate. If you toss that coin 3 times, the possibilities look like this: In this rather grim reality, you experience a bad thing in seven out of the eight possible series of coin tosses. And lets say that heads represents a good thing while tails represents a bad thing. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. This encounter resulted in the final book of the Bible: Revelation. That he will love us . But what or who determines good? The biggest reason is expecting it. In the Bible, in James 1:1- 4 tells us when we face trials, we can see it as a positive thing in our life because ultimately we are going to grow from it. God has provided a rescue in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. In reality, however, we often dont know why bad things happen to us, or why God has permitted them. No one is good except God alone. Perhaps weve offered it ourselves. I dont know which scriptures they clung to during his sickness, but they unknowingly ministered to me multiple timesthrough the patience and kindness they exhibited. We do not have to be surprised when hard times occur because we are clearly told in Scripture that they will happen. Speak to an accredited and experienced therapist to help you deal with the bad things that have been happening to you. And Hes the certainty on which we can secure our hope. But sometimes people have to go through bad times to understand that not following God is literally stepping away from a great plan that is working for your good. Job 1:1 describes him as upright and blameless, one who feared the Lord and refused evil. Copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. BGEA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. The man didnt do anything to deserve to be blind, and when asked why the man was blind, Jesus answered, So you can see who I am. He healed the blind man so that the blind man and everyone around him would be amazed by the supernatural power of Jesus and know that He is Who He say He is. The sooner you start, the sooner you can feel better about things. You may want to try speaking to one via BetterHelp.com for quality care at its most convenient. (Luke 8)-A little girl died due to illness. It is the same for all, since the same event happens to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. Just as you would go out of your way to help a friend or family member who was in trouble, there are people out there who would do the same for you. The simple reason why bad things are nevertheless allowed to happen is that God has given human beings free will. Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? The good person may have played some sort of role in causing the situation. For additional thought-provoking pieces on heaven, consider the ones listed below. Jesus refuted the notion of sin. We receive a commission should you choose to make a purchase after clicking on them. Solicitation Disclosure Statement Trials help to reveal God's character to us in a personal way. We also have an enemy, Satan, who is trying to destroy our lives because he hates that we are made in the image of God. You will be better equipped than the next person who wants to help solve an issue because you have personal experience dealing with that particular problem. bad things happen to all. Losing a job, for example, can be extremely stressful. Some call it the law of attraction. So when you are rejected for being who you are, it might be a good thing! 5. And in the middle of our suffering, many of us. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. But it can at least help you to stop thinking that the world must be against you. Because He loves you. Sometimes, suffering draws us to our faithful and loving Father. But if you do not recognize them and keep them in mind, you may be fooled into thinking that only bad things are happening to you. These are the generations of Jacob. It may sound harsh, but you may have had some influence over some of the unfortunate things that have occurred. My family and I faced this situation recently. 7 Verses about Trees to Root You in Scripture, 7 Clues You Are Actually Sitting under a False Teacher, 5 Things You Didn't Notice in the Creation Account. The writers were despondent, yet they sought God in spite of feelings. ), 2020 by The Bible Is Inclusive. But then, Satan struck Job a second time. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. Going through trials helps us to see God's character. Job's animals were killed or stolen, taking his wealth with them. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you. (See Job 1.) Problems bring great opportunities. The earth is "fallen" in a biblical sense. Still not sure how to deal with all the negative things that are happening to you? Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. Without wishing to sound harsh, you might just be the inevitable consequence of mathematics. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. There will be times in our lives when everything seems to go wrong at once. Each face represents something that might happen and these things can be good, neutral, or bad. No, its not necessarily wrong to wonder why God allowed something bad to happen to us. John, a believer in Jesus Christ, received a vision of heaven and was instructed to write down what he saw. I've noticed that in many people's walk with God, alot of people find out that bad things continue to happen to them. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. Breaking The Stronghold Of Homophobia And Transphobia In The Church. )-John 3:16 (God loves the world.)-Rev. Anne Graham Lotz: What Impossible Situation Are You Facing? If humans wrestle with sin, who is good? Sometimes these situations help to show us that God can trust us in these perilous times! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201 The Enigma of Suicide: Answers From Billy Graham. We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. Whether it takes a week, a month, or many years, you will get through this difficult time. T Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart. You may literally seethe with anger that this could happen to you. But why is the world so evil? This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.. If its at all possible in your circumstances, therapy is 100% the best way forward. What Do We Learn from Reading Jesus Genealogy? (Genesis 6-8)-Josephs brothers rejected him then sold him into slavery, a woman wrongly accused him, and he experienced imprisonment even though innocent. When wondering why God would allow bad things to happen to good people, it's also good to consider these four things about the bad things that happen: 1) Bad things may happen to good people in this world, but this world is not the end. Will Graham Devotion: 3 Reminders in Your Suffering, Will Graham Devotion: Suffering for Jesus. Will Graham Devotion: 3 Reminders in Your Suffering, Will Graham Devotion: Suffering for Jesus. So heres the first explanation of why bad things keep happening to you: youve been unlucky. There is a reason that many Christians are rejected by the world; and that is because we do not believe or follow the values of the world. Jesus told his followers, "Go and make disciples of all nations.". Nothing is insignificant if it is affecting your mental well-being. 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