Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

Perhaps you think you are a “good” person, but you’re conflicted with the realization that you see a lot of pain and sorrows of the world thrown at you. You have had your share of heartache and trials. Sometimes, or maybe, many times, things do not go your way. The question is, why do bad things happen to good people?

Jesus gives us the answer when He says, “…for He (our Father who is in heaven) causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:45, NASB, emphasis mine). God does not have partiality between the righteous and those who are not, instead, God allows nature to take its course. The fact of life is that bad things happen to all people. Relationships will be torn apart, people will be laid-off at work, not everyone gets the job they want, aches, pains, injuries, and death will always come about as long as this earth stands, and the list could continue with all the negative things that come our way. All people have their high moments in life, and all have their low moments. 

The real question should not be, “why do bad things happen to good people?”, but, “what should we do when they happen?” What we do will determine whether we truly are that “good” person we think we are. During times of trials we should seek God’s wisdom in how we ought to react, knowing that these trials will only make us stronger (e.g. James 1:2-8). If, however, we blame and reject God for our trials and temptations, then we benefit nothing from them, except the realization that we are not that “good” person we thought ourselves to be. Do we truly want to be “good” people? If so, let me suggest these three simple steps during trials: first, instead of blaming God, let’s look to God for help; secondly, instead of focusing on the negative, let’s focus on the strength that can be gained through these experiences, and then thirdly, instead of rejecting God by our actions, let us turn to His word for wisdom and act upon what we find (e.g. James 1:22). If we can accomplish these three steps during times of trial then we know God is pleased with us, and in the end, that’s all that counts!

Why do bad things happen to good people? Perhaps the answer is so that we can prove we truly are good, even in the bad times, and become all the better because of them.