Why Bad Things Happen to Good People ...

Why do bad things happen to good people?

This is an age-old question which I'd say has plagued every human being in the world especially Christians. We all believe that God is good, and we all believe that Jeremiah 29:11 is true that God does truly have a plan for us, plans to prosper us and not to harm us, to give us a hope and a future. If we believe this to be true, it begs the question, why do bad things happen to good people? If our God is so good and has good plans for our lives, how can these bad things happen to us?

When I was in junior high, I struggled with this. I just couldn't understand why the good people around me were facing such bad things. I asked God this exact question. I asked Him to tell me why. I asked Him to show me, and He did.

Why do bad things happen to good people? His answer to me: Mr. Ricky Jones.

This man loved his church, loved his family, and loved all people, but most of all, he loved his God. I don't know all the specific details about all that he endured during his lifetime, but I know that he had diabetes and probably many other health complications which in the end took his life my senior year of high school. When I was young, he was a picture of health as far as I knew, and he was the brightest light shining for Christ. As a young girl, I wanted to be around him, talk to him, and give him hugs. He ALWAYS had a smile on his face,and I came to expect a smile and hug from him every time I saw him. As I grew older, my mom would tell me that Mr. Ricky was very sick, that he had to have surgery, or that he was in the hospital. I knew things weren't good, but I didn't fully understand what was going on. What I did know was that he was sick, and I expected him to be unhappy, discouraged, sad, or angry. That's what I had seen others do when faced with such hard times, but Mr. Ricky was not others. No matter if they amputated his foot or confined him to a wheelchair, that smile never left his face. He continued to praise God even through the storms of life. To the world, he had every right to disown God and be angry with his circumstances, but not Mr. Ricky. He knew God's plan was good and perfect. He knew something that I didn't understand. I understand now as I think back on the impact he had on my life. I hugged his neck every time I saw him, and instead of complaining about his life and troubles, he asked me how he could pray for me. He always knew when something was heavy on my heart, and he always reminded me that God answers prayers and to NEVER stop praying.

His positive and Godly reaction to the BAD gave me the answer to this perplexing question.
First, I had to realize that we live in a fallen world where bad things are going to happen. This world is not perfect, and it hasn't been since Adam and Eve ate the fruit in the garden. This is a constant that will not change and will continue to affect us.
Second, I had to realize that this life is not about me or us or anybody ... it is all about God and bringing Him glory. He WILL use the bad to bring Him glory, and that is really all that matters.
Third, to this very day, I think about him every time someone around me is faced with something bad. He set an example for me, and to this day, I can look to God in the midst of storms in this life and put a smile on my face. I want my life to glorify God, and I will learn to accept the good and the bad ... knowing that how I react could impact someone's life forever and possibly even for the kingdom.

God is good.

Learning to love,
Jenna