Why does God let bad things happen to good people?

Tragedy tests the faith of many. On the surface, it seems that a benevolent God could not allow some things to happen, and therefore, when they happen His existence is questioned. "Why would God let such bad things happen to good people?" This is not an easy question, and the answer is better suited to a Master's thesis than a blog, but please take a moment to consider a few thoughts.

By definition, a tragedy requires that bad things happen to 'good' people. When bad things happen to 'bad' people it's called justice or even karma. So, where do 'good' people come from? Oddly enough, they come from bad events. Think of the best people in your life. You are probably picturing someone helpful, generous and compassionate, traits that are only apparent when need is present. 'Good' people are the ones who show up when things go wrong. The human potential for goodness cannot be developed without the presence of disaster - both natural and man-made. As the commercial states, "The worst brings out our best."

Not only are we improved by horrific events, but, as importantly, we are bonded by them. Shared difficulty is the line between true friends and acquaintances. We are connected when we donate to relief efforts for people half-way around the world in ways we never will be by buying things that are built in far-off factories. Again, think about the people you love. They are the ones who stood by you in your darkest hours. As the song says, "That's when you find out who your friends are."

From a more intellectual angle, human perception is a measure of contrast. We cannot, except perhaps in the most intensely academic ways, be aware of things that have no opposite. If there was neither night nor cloud nor shadow, but only sunshine, we would not notice sunshine. Without danger, safety has no meaning. Without death, we would not appreciate life.Without the random, the cruel and the ugly, we would be blind to order, virtue and beauty. 

In the end, I believe that God allows bad things to happen to good people for the same way any parent allows a child to stumble, because it is necessary part of reaching our potential. He does not want us to fall, but that is the only way we can learn to walk. He does not want us to hurt, but He does want us to grow. In order for us to help, someone must need. His does not ask His followers to just be harmless, He asks them to be helpful. As the book says, "feed my sheep." This is not much of a request unless some of us are hungry.

September 28, 2012

Dear God,

Feeling rather inadequate today. Lesser. I'm not quite sure what the word is. Disadvantaged? Like You screwed up a little bit when You made me. Which I don't think You do, but it's hard not to feel that way when I look at my inability to attract a mate. For decades I've told myself to trust You. To not rush into a relationship that didn't feel right just to silence my biological clock. The message from Your word is that You want the very best for us and if I only have patience You will bring me the person You mean for me to have. The message from life is that it will bring me people who want me for my body and a people who love me for myself, and NO ONE who is both. Even when I feel like I'm compromising, I get rejected. When the guy I think maybe I could put up with keeps hanging around telling me he couldn't possibly be in a relationship with me, it's hard to believe that I have any value. That I'm worthy of love. I know, none of us are worthy of Your love, but what it is that makes me so unworthy of the love of decent man? I suppose I should be grateful that I don't need it. That I'm almost complete by myself. But that's not what I'm feeling today. Please, Lord, just fix whatever's wrong with me that makes me keep going back to the dry well, that makes me keep coveting couplehood. Let me be accepting of the person I am and feel truly complete on my own.

Amen.

March 28, 2012

Dear Father,

I read recently that successful people focus on improving their strengths and the rest of us focus on changing our weaknesses.  I find myself increasingly envious of that ability to better their best instead of wallowing in their worst.  I do that, Lord.  I look at myself and I see so many things that should be different - I should eat better and exercise more, I should have better attention to detail, I should be on time, I should spend less, I should keep my apartment cleaner...

As You know, You who knows the number of hairs on my head, the list of my flaws is extensive and weighty.  Mistakes, public and private, stay with me for a long time.  I'm almost unable to forgive myself.  I still feel guilty for things I did wrong in elementary school.  I say I accept Your forgiveness, but do I really, if I don't let go of the feeling of failure?  And if the "should have"s are always on the top of my mind, how do I make room for the "could"s.  How do I step out of my errors? How do I become the person You want me to be?

Please, Lord, help me to see the potential of my life and not just the potential pit-falls.  Move my best to the front of my thoughts and help me clear out old mistakes.  Help me to truly accept Your grace and start each day with a fresh outlook.

In Jesus name I pray,
Amen.

March 7, 2012 11:13 am

Dear Father,

I know You see the cloud that I am under.  I have struggled with emotional illness for most of my life, and even though it's invisible to most people, I know You see it.  And I know You can punch a hole in it for me.

Focus so illusive today.  It is a multi-taskers world and I cannot seem to keep my brain on what I'm supposed to be doing.  I need a little tunnel vision, a little calm in the waves of thought that keep knocking me in different directions.  I need You to silence the time wasters that keep calling my name and slow the tide of interuptions.

In Jesus name I pray.  Amen.