By Renee Schuller
Care Ministry Specialist
People often wonder, how can a good God let bad things happen? Let’s dig into God’s Word to find the answer He gives to us.
If God allows bad things does that mean He isn’t always good? Read Psalm 136 and Lamentations 3:23.
God is good all the time. These are just two of many places in scripture where God tells us that His steadfast love never ends. In Psalm 136, He reminds us of all the times in the Old Testament when the Israelites were suffering, but God was with them and delivered them. His goodness shines bright and breaks through the darkness of the bad things in life.
If God is so loving and good, then why do bad things happen?
Let’s start from the beginning. God created the world and the first people. He said that it was very good, and it was (Genesis 1-2). But in Genesis 3, we learn that Adam and Eve disobeyed God and the world fell into sin. “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” (Romans 5:12 ESV).
Does that mean that my suffering is a direct consequence of specific sins?
No. Read Luke 13:1-5. Here, Jesus teaches that those whom the tower fell on were not worse sinners because they suffered in this way. He goes on to explain that the true cause of suffering in the world is sin.
What does God do about the suffering in the world?
Suffering is transformed in Christ. This is called the theology of the cross. God allows suffering in the world and in our lives. By it, He calls us out of the darkness of our sin to find our strength in Him, and in return, He strengthens our faith to endure in joyful patience. Read Colossians 1:9-14. Instead of eliminating suffering, God does something even better and more ultimate. He eliminates the cause of all suffering.
How does He do this? By sending His Son to die on the cross to atone for the sins of the whole world. By His wounds we are healed from our sin. Read 1 Peter 2:24 and Isaiah 53:4-5.
Having been justified by His grace, we are given the promise of eternal life. Read Titus 3:3-7.
In the book of Job, we read how God allowed Job to suffer. Yet, Job cries out in faith and the hope that because our Redeemer lives we live in the promise of the resurrection to eternal life. Read Job 19:25-26. In that new heaven and new earth, there will be no more tears, or pain, or death for these former things will have passed away forever. Read Revelation 21:1-4.
But what about the pain and suffering I’m feeling right now?
God hears Your cries for mercy. 1 John 5:13- 15. He will answer your prayers according to His good and gracious will, but that may not align exactly with our human will. No matter what may come, He promises “that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 ESV).
In Christ, we do not grieve or suffer alone or as those without hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). Even in the midst of suffering, even when. we don’t feel it, we have God’s peace, a peace that the world cannot give (John 14:27) that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). For we have God’s sure promise to be with us always.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:4,6 ESV).
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we give thanks to You, for You are good, and Your steadfast love endures forever. Help us to remember Your love for us in the midst of our suffering. Embolden us to cry out to You in our times of need. Remind us of the suffering Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ endured for us in order to give us salvation. In His name we pray. Amen.
This month’s study text:
The Lord Is My Shepherd
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:4,6 (ESV)
Reflection Questions:
Have you ever struggled to remember the goodness of God? What struggles in the past have made it difficult to remember that God is good and that He loves you?
What cries of mercy do you have for God this day? Take some time to write out your struggles you would like relief from.
Though evil does not come from God, He can use even tragedy to grow our faith and strengthen us. What is something difficult you endured that God has used to make you stronger?
Renee Schuller holds a Master of Theology degree from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind.