Why Does God Allow Bad Things to Happen?

In Student Ministry, we have been going through these tough questions like understanding how God is the one who ultimately created the world, and how we know that Christianity is true when there are so many other religions?

Another question that we recently went through is once that I’m sure many have thought about or are currently considering:

“If God is good, then why would He allow bad things to happen?”

This is a difficult question to answer and to be honest, I know that not one person, even the most intellectual professor, will be able to provide you the perfect answer to this question. However, my aim is to point us to Jesus and helping us remember the things we do know, and I hope this will help you to walk away from pondering this question with an understanding of how God works in the midst of our trials, suffering, and pain. He remains the same yesterday, today, and forever.

So, let’s get to the purpose and point of all this suffering; of why God allows bad things to happen.

I want to first distinguish the difference between natural evil and moral evil. When I talk about natural evil, some examples of this category are natural disasters, such as floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and sicknesses such as cancer. Moral evil is the evil that people do, such as murder or stealing.

When we turn on the news or see news on our phones or social media, we constantly see bad things happen all over the place. Have you ever gone through something difficult? A common thought process when bad things happen – in our world and in our lives - is wondering, “Where is God in this?”. We may start to question if He is even real or think, “Why didn’t God prevent this from happening?”

Perhaps for others of us, suffering is confusing. Since God’s word says that He is good, all-powerful, and in control, why do bad things still happen? Why do we see tragedies and pain and suffering in our world?

A simple answer to this question is:

God created the world and everything in it, but because of the fall of man, the world we live in is no longer perfect.

As we look back to the beginning of creation in Genesis 3, the perfect world that God created has been lost due to the fall of Adam and Eve. As a result, we live in a fallen world, and “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time”. (Romans 8:22)

So, God isn’t responsible for the evil, death, suffering, pain, disease, and brokenness we see around us. God didn’t create evil, but He did create man and gave us free will. Since man rebelled against the perfect creator, we are responsible.

Let’s first talk about the example of natural disasters. Why doesn’t God stop these things from happening? He’s not just sitting up in Heaven plotting which hurricane is going to wipe out an entire city. However, He is allowing his creation to work as He has designed it to be. For example, earthquakes by design are for the purpose of the earth to function how it ought to. Hurricanes bring rainfall to areas that need it, provide a global heat balance, and replenish inland plant life. Everything that happens naturally on this earth has a distinctive purpose and design.

Next, let’s talk about the example of diseases and sicknesses such as cancer. Sickness goes back to the design of our human nature. We are complex, created beings. When cells in our bodies don’t function the way they are supposed to (since our bodies aren’t perfect), we will have sicknesses. Even ones that have been too complex to find a cure for. Diseases don’t fit into God’s original design for creation, because the original design for earth and creation was good and perfect, like how Heaven is going to be.

The next question is a hard one to grasp, but we need to keep it in perspective. Did you know that Christians should expect hard things to happen in life? God never promises that when you become a Christian, you will have an easy and pain-free life. I hate to be a “Debbie Downer”, but we’re actually told that we will have trouble and hardship in this world. John 16:33 says it clearly, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” The big picture that I take away from this verse is the hope and help we have in Christ! We aren’t left to this world alone; we don’t search for hope, help, or comfort in this world. Since Jesus has overcome the world, we can take heart in His victory and live in light of it.

God also doesn’t promise that we will understand why He has allowed certain sufferings to happen. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts”. But what is promised is that God will ultimately work all things for His good for believers. (Romans 8:28)

When bad things happen and we don’t understand, here is one thing we can always remember: No matter what we’re facing, when we feel lost, alone, or broken, the Savior’s arms are open to receive us.

In fact, I think one reason God allows difficult things to happen in our lives is to point us back to where our true faith and hope are found to truly and fully rely on Jesus and see the infinite power of Jesus Christ in our lives. This ultimately builds our relationship with Him, makes us more like Him.

I don’t mean to downplay or dismiss the fact that life can be hard; really hard. But when you turn to Jesus, you will see that He is always there, and He will never leave you. He knows exactly what you’re going through. He’s felt it all before when he suffered for us.

Jesus came into this world, lived a perfect life, which is something we can’t do, suffered for us because He loves us so much, and His love for us never stops or runs out. He stepped in for our sin and died on the cross for us. The victory and freedom that we get to stand in today are that He didn’t stay dead - He rose again, defeating sin and death!

That is the good news of the gospel! That’s the hope that we can hold onto no matter what we are going through. We have an eternity in Heaven to look forward to. And this eternity will be free from death, suffering, sickness, evil, pain, and tears (Revelation 21:4). “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

God will turn our sadness into JOY.

Did you know that the trials we face, and the pain and suffering we endure, won’t compare to the glory that is to be revealed? The anticipation of Heaven, or when the Lord comes back, makes current difficulties seem light. Romans 8:18 says, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us”.

It points to God’s character and shows us there’s purpose in pain. That your biggest trials can actually be your greatest testimony. God uses trials to grow and strengthen our faith.

I think as a believer, I constantly need to keep the context of time in my mind. We are but a speck in comparison to eternity. James 4:14 says, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” Our lives are so short in comparison to glorifying God forever in Heaven. It’s difficult to wrap our minds around this, but we might not know the ‘why’ behind our pain and suffering until we get to Heaven.

Despite what difficulties and challenges may come, despite some questions we may have in this life, we can move forward with faith and peace, knowing that the Lord continues to walk right beside us, carrying us through these trials, knowing that one day, in His sovereign timing, He will fully open our eyes to the mysterious truths of the gospel and His will.

There is meaning and purpose in everything we are going through. God is using all the difficulties of life both in this world and our personal life to change us, grow us, and transform us more into his image.