This is a question I had and one that I still hear people ask. It is a question that was answered after I read the bible. I’ll share the answers I found in the bible:
- Sin: Evil Spiritual Beings having access to the world is the reason that “bad things” happen. Sin didn’t originate from God, it came from the evil spiritual beings who rebelled against God then introduced people to sin and people were deceived and followed it. Evil spiritual forces continue to influence, manipulate , deceive and destroy people today. Bible/study references:
- 1 Peter 8 (evil)
- Job 1:7 (evil)
- Job 2:2 (evil)
- Revelation 12:9 (deceiver)
- John 10:10 (evil purpose to destroy)
- 1 John 5:17 (sin can lead to death)
- Genesis 1:31 (good)
- What is sin? (explanation1)
- What is sin? (explanation 2)
- Discipline from God: God sometimes uses bad things to discipline a person who is sinning and turn them from their sin, restore and reconcile with Him. Think of the saying: “Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” The bible is full of examples of this, throughout the Old Testament is very clear when God says if you repent and turn from your sinful ways, I will restore you.
- Jeremiah 15:19
- Revelation 3:19 (plus more verses about God disciplining and the purpose behind it)
- Various Verses (there are almost 1400 verses in the bible with “turn from” included)
- God is Just: God will destroy evil and He doesn’t relent when He chooses to do this. If God wasn’t just, then how would victims of evil ever be consoled? God is clear about evil, He will destroy it: sometimes people will see it during their lifetime, but if not, God promises it at the end.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:6 (see other verses about God being just on the right in this link)
- Genesis 6 (God responded to corruption)
- Genesis 18: 20-21 (God responded with destruction)
- Revelation 16 (God’s wrath in the end)
- A Test of our Faith from God: God sometimes allows bad things to test our faith and trust in Him. This is found in the story of Job. But the story also tells us that God will restore everything and even more later on, if we pass the test and remain faithful to God despite our circumstances.
- Jeremiah 9:7 (testing)
- The book of Job (testing and restoring)
- Faith tested and Rewarded
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (all circumstances- the will of God)
- Romans 8:28 (uses all things for the good of those who love Him)
In summary, bad things happen for various reasons and we don’t always know which reason or understand completely why something specific happened, but sometimes we understand it in hindsight and I believe God will reveal why in the end. Trusting in God, despite the circumstance, will come with a reward from God; we see that in the Bible repeatedly. It does require faith, strength, endurance and perseverance- which God will give to those who ask Him for this, those who remain loyal to God, He provides. Personally, it helps me to think of bad things as “temporary,” during a “transitional” time. In eternity, all will be restored- that is God’s promise!
God’s Promise: Revelation 21
S.A.I.L. 