First, we must give our situation and life to God; this is the hardest part, because we feel more secure if we think we are in control of things. Below are some encouraging Scriptures to cling to in hard times. So that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. balance between positive and negative. Psalm . So ask yourself whether the bad things that have recently happened to you have happened before. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. So heres the first explanation of why bad things keep happening to you: youve been unlucky. Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. What are you trying to tell me?" The actions you took (or didnt take) might have seemed small at the time, but they could have been pivotal in how events turned out. 3. Are you going to stand fast in the faith or are you going to run away and fail your test? Z. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. God will be with us, forbidding those things that harass us here on earth, including disease, violence, and the destruction causing us to question why bad things happen to good people. The man didnt do anything to deserve to be blind, and when asked why the man was blind, Jesus answered, So you can see who I am. He healed the blind man so that the blind man and everyone around him would be amazed by the supernatural power of Jesus and know that He is Who He say He is. The world really has no agenda. It tells us that God knows what we're going through, and He loves us and wants to help us. Again, without wishing to blame you for the bad things that befall you, each time some unwanted event takes place, there might be lessons you can learn from it. L 5. Photo credit:GettyImages/KatarzynaBialasiewicz. M Would You like a personal relationship with Jesus? Lets dig a little deeper and see if we cant find an answer to your why?. Permissions Only God is good; Psalm 136:1 tells us so. Will Graham Devotion: 3 Reminders in Your Suffering, Will Graham Devotion: Suffering for Jesus. - Sort By Book Order. Because life will happen one way or another; but it will be easier to go through life with someone on your side (who is working in your best interest! There is only one who is good. And Hes the certainty on which we can secure our hope. Even when trials smack us in the face or toss us to the ground, our Fathers goodness never waivers. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. In the Bible, in James 1:1- 4 tells us when we face trials, we can see it as a positive thing in our life because ultimately we are going to grow from it. But what does the Bible say? The bad, as difficult as it is, results in spiritual good. Are you ignoring the good things that have happened in between the bad? For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Without wishing to blame you or anyone else, we do have some influence over some of the things that happen in our lives. Dealing with hard times gives you the strength to endure through difficult times. O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Were you good today? Children are sometimes asked this question. In the end, Job trusted his Father, and God remained faithfuljust as He assures us He will be in our situations. We live in a fallen, imperfect world filled with sickness and sorrow, and none of us is exempt from its suffering and death. Will Graham Devotion: 3 Reminders in Your Suffering, Will Graham Devotion: Suffering for Jesus. If you read the creation story in Genesis 1 and 2, you will notice that God had the same thing to say at the end of every day: And God saw that it was good (Genesis 1:4, 9, 12, 18, 25, 31). Okay so everyone has free will. 2023 BGEA Publication date: Apr 15, 2023. Take 30 seconds and fill out the "bad" side. Why do I still feel pain? People suffer and experience trials because of sin. At times, challenges occur for no reason. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. Job in the Old Testament asked the same question after he lost everything he had, including his health. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Luke 8)-A woman was crippled for eighteen years (Luke 13)-Stephen was stoned to death. accidents happen. In his case, the cause rests with the devil. Emma is an avid writer for Salem Web Network and provides articles on the Bible, life questions, and on the Christian lifestyle. Kristi, her handsome, retired-from-the-Navy husband, and their three children survived a nomadic, military lifestyle and have set roots in Oklahoma--where she keeps close watch for tornadoes and good chocolate. You may want to try speaking to one via BetterHelp.com for quality care at its most convenient. But it might bring to light some health issues you have and allow you to make lifestyle choices to prevent a more serious stroke from occurring. U 2. If you toss that coin 3 times, the possibilities look like this: In this rather grim reality, you experience a bad thing in seven out of the eight possible series of coin tosses. Many people doubt it's existence, but because they have personal experience, they can speak to it and call it out. Sometimes we perceive a series of bad things as being unbroken. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. But, after youve experienced life as a follower of Jesus, and youve experienced His faithfulness, then you know its true. And friends trust me when I say that I understand you. After all, our God is good, and according to 1 John 5:5, believers in Jesus overcome the world. For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord. He was in a dark place emotionally, but he knew that praising God was necessary and that calling on Him could effect the outcome of the situation. Her article on InterracialMarriage was the number 1 viewed article on Crosswalk for the year 2021. Just as its a fact of life that bad things happen, its a fact that good things happen too. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. Blame, at time, tempts us to wag a finger at God or others. If we never have seasons of famine, then we'll never know that God can provide. And this may be the hardest thing that you have ever been through, but God has put a strength in you to get through this like no other. Dont be angry at God, or think He has abandoned you because He hasnt. If there are some practical steps that you need to take to move closer to resolving this unwelcome period of your life, take them. Our friend, an encourager, adventurist, veteran, and father of my kids teammates, battled an ugly illness. The simple reason why bad things are nevertheless allowed to happen is that God has given human beings free will. Acts 4:27-28, the Bible says this about what happened to Jesus. But a man and a woman, Adam and Eve, rebelled against God. Growth tends to only happen during trials because a life of ease gives many a lack of reasoning to change their behavior. Instead, when something bad happens to you, use it and the insights you have gained from it to drive your life forward in another direction. You might no longer see yourself as uniquely unfortunate, but as one of many people who have suffered more than one bad thing in quick succession. These are the generations of Jacob. So, it's possible that your negative mindset is attracting a streak of bad situations in your life. That he will be with us, even when bad things are happening. But Job? Bad Things Happen synonyms - 38 Words and Phrases for Bad Things Happen. Solicitation Disclosure Statement There is however, a promise that God will never leave us nor forsake us. You may feel that "bad things are always happening" due to stressful events like these. Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? Christians have an eternal perspective: "We do not lose heart. While the devastation of such loss will often remain with us, Jobs life testifies beautifully that truly God is with us. Geocoding Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. Why? He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. When bad things happen, when you're facing heavy challenges, when you don't understand all the reasons behind your struggles, here is one thing to always remember: No matter what trial you're facing, when you're feeling lost, alone, defeated, or broken, the Savior's arms are open to receive you. Jacob lived in the land of his father's sojournings, in the land of Canaan. S Unforeseen circumstances might reveal that you arent living in accordance with your morals or values. As a result, life on earth isnt perfect. God love you so much and He is with you and is never leaving you in this trial without His presence. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.. An example of suffering in the Bible, one that continues to bring hope and restoration to a whole throng of people years later, is the life of Jesus. The writers were despondent, yet they sought God in spite of feelings. And trust me when I say that I understand your pain. It says there, "For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the . This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. This righteous man broke out in sores from head to toe. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. The world is socialized to covet evil ideals such as power hunger, money hunger, worldly influence (in a way that harms others), and other things. Some of the things that God brings us through is so heart-wrenching and heartbreaking that for some of us it can be hard to carry on. If its at all possible in your circumstances, therapy is 100% the best way forward. And though this experience is painful, acceptance is not always a good thing. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. No, its not necessarily wrong to wonder why God allowed something bad to happen to us. We live in an imperfect world, and the Bible says that it rains on the just and the unjust. -Job 42:2 (God can do all things. Someone steals your car from outside your house. It is a time to reflect, pray, strengthen our relationship with God, grieve, and show love and compassion to those affected. Some things do not make sense until after we go through it, so it's important to trust God in all that He is doing for your life. Counselors will tell you that feeling will follow fact. There is nothing that says bad things won't happen. 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 says, So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. We do not have to be surprised when hard times occur because we are clearly told in Scripture that they will happen. We get lost in self-pity and forget about the power we have to change our situation. Each time you learn and act upon the lessons of an unwelcome event, you change the dice of life and reduce the chances of it landing on that same thing for a second time. Proudly created with Wix.com. Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. God never intended for tragedy and prejudice, wars and hatred, lust and greed, jealousy and pride. Its human nature to want to help those we care about, so you are not being a burden to anyone by asking for help. But it can at least help you to stop thinking that the world must be against you. Several of these verses center on the goodness of God as well as His creation. Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. Maybe ask God "What are you showing me in this? We do not have to be surprised when hard times occur because we are clearly told in Scripture that they will happen. But when a bad thing happens to you, its natural to ask why. When Bad Things Happen: Judaism's First View on Wrestling with Suffering Through personal testimony and faith, one is able to receive and decipher God's message. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. This belief is a double-edged sword: it can be reassuring and comforting but can also lead to disillusionment, anguish, and feelings of abandonment by God, under conditions of cruel adversity.. Which is why I suffer as I do. Someone is going to need your experience in high places. Ask Jesus Christ to come into your life today. Most recently, Emma has released her first Bible Study Book, Wildflower: Blooming Through Singleness. Then hold tightly to His promise: Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Imagine if we removed the focus on man being good, believing instead that in every situationeven the bad onesGod is good. People were changed as a result. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. He is also a God of justice and of perfect righteousness. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Why do I still continue to be hurt by things?" When Bad Things Happen What does the Bible say about why we suffer? I dont relish the fact that they faced such a horrific situation, but I praise God that they trusted Him through it. What does the Bible say about why we suffer? At first glance, our Saviors death on the cross seems a travestyan innocent man wrongly accused and put to death. So here's the first explanation of why bad things keep happening to you: you've been unlucky. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Did you overlook the joyous family day at the beach the weekend before last? What Do We Learn from Reading Jesus Genealogy? She is wife to Drew for over two years and mom to baby Graham. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Sign of a Curse: Inexplicable Illness and/or Injury. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Talking to someone can really help you to handle whatever life throws at you. Youll know that bad things cant keep happening forever and that a more favorable period is on the horizon. You can view her articles through her blog at emmadanzey.wordpress.com and check out her Bible Study videos on Instagram @Emmadanzey. The rich, the poor, the intellectual, the illiterate, the strong, the weak, the old, the young can all be stricken and afflicted by that which we might define as bad. According to Romans 3:23, all people, even the good ones, sin and fall short of Gods glory. Local: 704-401-2432 A good place to get professional help is the website BetterHelp.com here, youll be able to connect with a therapist via phone, video, or instant message. Like for example, Asexual people see the world from a different angle because they experience Aphobia. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201 5 Questions about Heaven Billy Graham Answered. Like for example, if we never got confused when reading the bible, then people would never know that God gives answers and can clarify things for us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. God meant for Earth to be a paradise, a place where there would be no death. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Topics: Suffering. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. The dice of life are always being rolled and many people are facing similar or worse situations to you right now. -Psalm 121 (Our help comes from the LORD.) And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. Job 1:1 describes him as upright and blameless, one who feared the Lord and refused evil. He fought hard. Problems produce dependency. Have you ever asked, Why do bad things happen to good people? Disaster striking or disease infiltrating, the suffering or untimely death of those we deem as undeserving, sears the heart, doesnt it? ), 2020 by The Bible Is Inclusive. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. However, because we live in an imperfect world, we all deal with good and bad. A common reaction to some unwelcome event or circumstance is outrage and denial. Answer (1 of 4): Depends on how YOU define bad. The Lord blessed Jobs life twice as much as the earlier years. But then, Satan struck Job a second time. I gulped then muttered something about a fallen world, that life will never be perfect on earth regardless of whether were good, bad, or somewhere in between. If we reach out to God in time of need, then we are accessing the One who created the universe. The CEO of a charity who has a wife and seven children. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, the Bible tell us that His grace is sufficient for you, for his power is made perfect in our weakness. G As long as we live and breathe on earth, hard times will threaten man. )-John 3:16 (God loves the world.)-Rev. This page may contain links to affiliate partners. Bad Things Happen to Good People. In verses 21 and 22, however, he responded in a way many of us might struggle to amid such suffering. Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. I But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. D Two of my kids approached me separately during those final weeks, and with pain on their faces, asked, Why do bad things happen to good people?. Does this make the bad things any easier to accept or deal with? Live church service from St. Luke AME Church, in Fayetteville, NC. But sometimes there are times that He might not respond to that *specific* question because He wants you to just trust Him (been there my friend) but if you aren't in that season, He'll let you know! 100 Bible Verses about Why Does God Allow Bad Things To Happen Romans 8:28 ESV / 38 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. If you continue to leave little contingency time for important journeys, you will continue to miss connections and important occasions. If we never are put in danger, then we never know that God can protect us. P The Bible may not answer the question of why something bad has happened to us but it tells us something far more important. So when you move away from that, you are actively working against yourself. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. Why Do Bad Things Keep Happening To Me? We find the list below in Genesis 1 and 2. E For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.. R And you may not have all the answers now as to why, but it will all make sense eventually. After that, continue reading to find out the three reasons why God sometimes allows bad things to happen in your life. (Gen. 42-45)-Ruths husband died. With our Fathers goodness in sight, however, we hold hope, even though we sometimes toil in the shadow of difficulty, that God overcomes the world. But what or who determines good? Some people only listen to people who have gone through what they have. Answer (1 of 6): Bad things happen, whether you imagined them or not. For instance, in John 9, Jesus and His disciples encountered a blind man. You started a company with funds from different investors. It is quite the opposite. However, consider what the Bible says about the true God: "Jehovah is righteous in all his ways.". I can build my world without you. As a result, mankind must suffer and die. You may realize what matters most to you and adjust your lifestyle to get more of it. Once we give these things over to Him, He is going to give us the ability to stand up and endure. Unfortunately, sometimes bad things happen to us because we are hurt by the sinful choices of others. So did his beautiful family. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But it can at least help you to stop thinking that the world must be against you. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. While you are not wholly to blame for any of these three things, your actions have played a role in the outcomes. Theres a gray area somewhere between bad luck and being at fault. All rights reserved. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet . According to James 1:17, God also gives good gifts. The natural response is to deny that you are affected by the crisis. God created us because He loves us. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. And trusting God through this will make your life way easier. Emma Danzeys mission in life stems from Ephesians 3:20-21, inspiring young women to embrace the extraordinary. In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. He acquired thousands of animals and fathered ten more children. The best thing is to speak to a therapist. In each of these situations, guilty and innocent people suffered due to one persons sinful choice. My life changed once I understood and faced the truth that I was expecting bad things to keep happening. When King David finally asked God why He had let this famine (i.e., this bad thing) occur, God explained that the famine was the consequence of decisions made by David's predecessor, Saul. January 27, 2010 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.. So, there are some things that we should do to recover: ll ways to be thankful and ways to express that to God and others. I honestly don't believe this happens often because God is very merciful, gracious, and forgiving. A different perspective could be all that's needed to make good things happen. 2.7K views 3 years ago In this world, we will face pain and suffering. It's safe to say, none of us desire what sin causes us to deserve. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. And in the middle of our suffering, many of us. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Saul was removed from his King position because he was filled with pride, but Joseph was humbled through slavery and prison before he was appointed to be the second in command of Egypt. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. They can help you to cope with whatever is going on in your life while also providing some practical solutions to some of your problems. Its a great way to get your thoughts and your worries out of your head so you can work through them. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Your actions are your most powerful tool in getting through difficult situations. (Gen. 37- Gen. 47)-Jacobs sons endured a famine. it happens. We do not have to like the trial or look forward to hardship. 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