Why do bad things happen?

Wow. That is a very awesome question and one that has been debated for years by a lot of people. After all, some would argue, how could a “loving” God allow such things? How do we accept that a caring God, a God of infinite power, can allow bad to happen?

It seems that no one is untouched by tragedy and suffering, doesn’t it? Not even those of us who are Christ Followers can avoid some pain and suffering.

First of all, let’s be clear on a few things. While God allows bad things to happen, He does not want it for us. In fact, when God created the Earth, it was very good. Genesis 1:31 reads, “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” This very good condition was the plan for all of God’s creation. 

Then God created Adam and Eve and God gave us human beings the ability to make choices. We call it free will. And, sadly, Adam and Eve flunked the test on decision-making. Because of their decision, sin entered the world and it’s that sin that affects our choices. Because we can make choices, sometimes those choices can be good and sometimes they can be bad. But, that’s the freedom God gave us because He wanted us to love Him freely and not because we are forced to. However, with that freedom to make bad choices comes suffering.

Sometimes free will results in evil and painful choices.  Remember, though, that all of the evil and pain in this world is human evil, not godly evil. God cannot sin so He can’t be evil. So all this pain and suffering is humanly-caused pain, which is a result of human sin. It’s not God’s fault when things go wrong.

But, thank God, it’s not over! Even though we are evil by nature, God still loves and cares for us. Jesus’ death on the cross paid the full price for each and every one of us. God’s Word promises that He will create a new heaven and a new earth and there will be “no more mourning or death or pain” because man’s sin will be gone and God will dwell with mankind. Praise God for that!

So, what about things that aren’t caused by people? Why do earthquakes that kill thousands of people happen? Why do some people get cancer? Why do little children get hurt or killed? Certainly those aren’t caused by human sin, are they?

Well, in a way, they are. All pain and suffering can be traced back to the original sin in the Garden of Eden. But, here’s the plus-side of suffering: it gives us the opportunity to lean on God and grow closer to Him and it is an opportunity for those around the person suffering to develop compassion and personal heroism. When things go bad, and we all will experience pain and suffering, it gives us the chance to come closer to God and to depend on His grace and mercy. We may never entirely understand our situation or experience but we can put our faith in God to get us through the storm.

One of my favorite Bible verses is a simple one and one that is easy to remember. It is Proverbs 3:5-6 and it says, “Trust in the Lord, your God, with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding but in all ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”

We have to trust God’s will despite what we see as being so sad and so tragic. And know, just know and put your faith in, the fact that God is good and that He loves you unconditionally.

Why do we feel pain?

Wow. That is a very interesting question because there are really two types of pain, aren’t there? There is physical pain like when you hit your thumb with a hammer or when you fall and scrape your knees. And there is an emotional pain, like when your feelings get hurt or you’re sad because something terrible happened. In both cases, “pain” is a signal that the body has been damaged or something is wrong.

Pain is also a signal that tells us to stop what we’re doing or to take another course of action. So, why do we feel pain?

God could have made it so that you never felt pain. He could have made you indestructible, if he wanted. You could have been just like Superman had God chosen to make you that way. But, He gave you this wonderful body that can experience all sorts of feelings, including pain. If He got rid of the ability to feel things physically then life would really stink! Can you imagine not being able to feel a hug? How about not being able to feel what a furry kitten feels like? Or a bowl of jello? Sandpaper? God wanted you to be able to use all of your senses to be able to enjoy all of His creation.

And, because God loves you, He gave you the ability to feel a whole bunch of different emotions. This includes emotional pain. Whether it’s the pain associated with loss, like a friend moving away, or the pain of not getting a part in the play that you really wanted, God let’s you experience those pains too.

But, here’s the deal: pain also serves a useful purpose. Because, when you start feeling pain, God gives you the ability to either stop what you’re doing that’s causing the pain or taking another course of action. Sometimes that course of action may be remembering to trust in Him and to turn to Him for comfort.

Remember, you are created in His image; in fact, you are fearfully and wonderfully made! But, because you are made in His image, you get many of His attributes…including the ability to feel love, happiness, joy, anger, sorrow and pain.