Why do "bad" things happen to "good" people?

Why do bad things happen to good people? The answer simply is, there is no such thing as a “good” person. 

Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Basically, we are born into sin and on our own, we cannot measure up to the glory that God possesses. There had to be a sacrifice made. There had to be a way made for us, as broken people, to have access to such a holy God. Since the fall of mankind mentioned in Genesis 3, we as humans are dead in our sins ( Ephesians 2:1-3). Although we are born into sin, there has been a sacrifice made for us. There is a way for us to be freed of the chains of sin. When we die to ourselves and allow Christ to make us into a new creation, the weight of our sin is lifted (Romans 6:5-8). So no, we are not born as “good” people. We are full of sin. Though we are breathing, we are dead. Our human nature and this fallen world cause us to sin, and it takes a mighty and holy Savior to bring us out of that life. 

Now, back to the question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”. Our definition of a “good” person is probably someone who is kind, hard working, honest and loving in every area of their life. While all of those characters describe a “good” person, it goes so much deeper than that. We can show kindness, love those around us, and contribute “good” to our society, yet we are still dead in our sins. Simply being a “good” person defined by our culture and society is not going to deliver us from the condition we are in apart from Christ. What does that condition look like? Lost. Dead. Hopeless. This is heavy news, but greater news is found in knowing that we no longer have to live in this condition! Because of Christ living and dying for the sake of our salvation, we have a way to be free of the bondages of sin. We have a way to truly live, because of Christ living in us. 

You see, the only “good” person to ever walk the earth was Jesus Himself. He was fully human, yet fully God, and He never sinned. Not once. Yet He was the One Who had to die the cruel and miserable death that all of us deserve. He was the One Who was beaten.

Tortured.

Mocked. 

Humiliated. 

All because of the love He has for you and I. This love isn’t temporary. This love doesn’t only work for “some” of us. This love doesn’t waver. This love doesn’t get up and walk away one day. This love forgives, sustains, and fulfills the sinful soul we are born with. This love is eternal. This love cannot be defeated. This love cannot be undone. This love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). 

When something bad happens in our life, we ask the question, “Why is this happening to me? I am a good person. I don’t deserve this.” Well now we know, we are not truly good people, and because of the fallen world we live in, bad things are bound to happen. The things that happen in our life do not determine how much or how little we are loved by God. Yes, we are going to experience heart break. Yes, we are going to be in pain at times. Yes, we will go through hard seasons of life that feel never ending. Yes, death will come. No, things won’t always turn out to be the way we wanted them to.  When this happens, we want to scream, “This isn’t fair! God, I don’t understand. How could you let this happen? Aren’t you there? Aren’t you listening?” 

And gently, He cups our face as His heart breaks for ours and says, “Yes, child, I am here. I always have been. I haven’t left you, and I never will. I know you’re hurting, and it hurts me as your Father to know that. But I will turn this pain you are experiencing into beauty. I do have a plan and a purpose for your hurt. I am as close to you as your very breath. Trust me.” 

God is with us in our hurt. When we are hurting, He hurts because He loves us. We aren’t always going to understand why He allows certain things to happen. We aren’t meant to. If we spent our whole life searching for the “why” in our suffering, we would miss out on the healing, restoration, and miracles that take place as God works in us. There is not one minute of our suffering that God does not plan to use for His glory. Not one second goes by that He doesn’t see. If we fully understood why God allowed certain things to happen, there would be no room for faith to take place in our life. 

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

It is easy to feel as if God has forgotten us in our pain. After all, why would such a good God allow us to endure trials? For the same reason He allowed His Son to endure the pain and death that He did. 

Because He loves us. 

Although we will find ourselves in scary and dark seasons of life, we have the true Light to guide us through those times. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, came to this earth and died only to be resurrected 3 days later. All for you. All for me. He defeated death itself. While this world is full of evil and pain, we no longer have to fear what this life might bring us. Why? Because we have victory over our struggles and trials through the power found in our Heavenly Father. 

Even when it hurts, we can praise Him. Even when things take a turn for the worse, we can rejoice. When all hope seems lost, we can remember that God is painting a bigger and more beautiful picture. One that we could never ever think to paint. One that we wouldn’t necessarily choose, but one that we will one day be thankful for. Because at the end of the trial, we can look back and see, “Wow, God. You had a plan. You made a way. Even though it’s not what I wanted, I am now closer to you. I have a different perspective. Your glory has been revealed to those who did not know you before. Thank you.” 

So when I experience doubt, and question why God would allow such a horrible thing to happen, I am reminded of the souls saved at my Mom’s funeral. I am reminded of the discouraged hearts I have been able to encourage through the Holy Spirit because of what I have been through. I am reminded of all the many ways God has reveled Himself in new ways to me. I am reminded of all the precious moments I have spent in the arms of my Father, Him drying my tears. I remember that yes, it hurts. Yes, I am weak. 

But God. 

He is strong. He is sovereign. He is compassionate. He is holy. He is the King of Kings. He is the Creator of the universe, yet chooses day after day to comfort us. To listen to us. To help us. Even when we don’t choose Him, He chooses us. 

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body,  I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20