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.