What Does The Bible Say?

Question – Why do bad things happen to good people?

Answer – Ecclesiastes 9:11 – “I returned and saw under the sun that the race does always go to the swift nor the battle to the strong neither bread to the wise, nor riches to those of understanding nor favor to men od skill; but time and chance happen to all.” Jesus said in Matthew 5:45 – “He makes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust.” Paul writes to 2 Timothy 3:2 – that “all who live godly suffer persecution.” Jesus also said in Matthew 5:11 – “blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against falsely for my name’s sake.” From these passages we can clearly see that God never promised that just because we serve God and live good lives that we will be immune from harsh and hurtful things. The fact is that simply because we are living right, some will resent us and do terrible things to us. Bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people. This life is not fair and we have never been promised by God that this life will be free of challenges and things will try our faith. As long as we dwell in the flesh, life will come at us with blessings and troubles. The book of Job is an awesome book to read to show us that even a very righteous man will meet with troubles (Job 14:1). In John 16:33 Jesus says “… in this world you will have tribulations, but take heart I have overcome the world. Satan is going about asa lion seeking to devour us (1 Peter 5:8). He hates happy people who rejoice in service to God and enjoy living in accordance with God’s will. Satan is a destroyer and a liar and he hates anyone who serves the Lord faithfully. The question is not whether bad things will happen to good people, but how we will face the tough times? We can grow bitter or we can grow better. Outlook and the condition of our souls makes all of the difference. We can overcome every roadblock Satan throws at us. IF we resist him, we will run James 4:7 – “submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.” — Submit all questions and comment to What the Bible Says c/o Maple St. Church of Christ PO Box 3068 Liberty, Tx 77575.