This week’s blog topic came to me randomly while I was going about my normal day. It’s not typical that a post just writes itself. Usually, I have several jumbled thoughts that I need to weave together, and sometimes I even “shelf” a blog for a few hours (or days) while I mull it over. But that wasn’t the case this week—and I hope you find some truth and comfort in what follows.
If you are an informed citizen, you’ve likely read the news this week. Maybe you’ve read it every day, listening to your favorite—or not so favorite—sources telling you how you should feel about what’s happening. There’s violence erupting in Mexico, Pakistan has declared war on Afghanistan, certain redacted files are floating around the internet, and it’s just so… much.
During Bible study with our kids, our daughter asked a question that stopped me:
“Why does God let bad things happen to good people?”
It’s a question many Americans are wondering right now as hard truths and harsh headlines blast across every platform. Her question immediately brought 1 Peter 3:15 to mind:
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
Why does a good God allow bad things to happen to good people?
God created mankind in His image and gave us freewill because He desired an honest, genuine connection with us. He wanted us to choose to love Him deeply and freely. That same freewill touches everything—what we eat, what we say, what we believe, who we love… and yes, whether we choose to hurt or destroy.
In His ultimate love, God allows us to choose a life without Him—though I’d argue He never stops chasing after us. Unfortunately, bad people hurt good people because they’ve chosen to walk away from God. He does not desire innocent people to be murdered. He does not desire illness to ravage your family. He does not desire wars or famine. These things happen because people are flawed, and sin broke the world God originally created good.
God allowing freewill is not His indifference—it is His love on display.
When we walk in sin, we’re walking away from Him. And those who choose a life without God also choose an eternity without God. We were designed for fellowship with Him, and I believe Hell will be more than a place of punishment—it will be eternal separation from the One who is the source of all goodness.
It was never God’s desire for mankind to suffer; sin fractured our relationship with Him and wounded creation itself. As a result of Adam and Eve’s sin, the world was marked with pain, toil, and consequence. We still feel the effects today—some directly, some indirectly—but all because the world is fallen.
The Soul Knows
It is difficult to deny God’s existence. All of creation declares His glory as a silent, constant witness to His power, wisdom, and artistry. From massive galaxies to tiny ecosystems, nature reveals His eternal power and divine nature.
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1)
Even an atheist may cry “Oh my God!” in a moment of crisis—not because they suddenly believe, but because instinctively, the soul knows where help comes from. Fear strips away our pride. And in that split second, their soul cries out to its Creator—because even the deepest parts of us know where salvation lies.
When We Suffer, We Grow
Here in the West, our natural tendency is to avoid discomfort and run toward anything that offers a quick dopamine hit. But without suffering, there is no growth. Like muscles strengthened through stress, character is built through trials. Those moments of pressure allow us to recover more quickly from future setbacks.
And sometimes—fortunately or unfortunately—suffering chases us right back into His arms.
C.S. Lewis, who watched his beloved wife die of cancer, wrote:
“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”
God’s plan is always to draw us back to Him, shaping us into Christlikeness, reminding us of our purpose.
To Live Is to Suffer
Scripture never promises that following Jesus will lead to an easy life—only to a perfect eternity. There are plenty of verses that prepare believers for hardship (John 16:33, 1 Peter 2:21, 2 Timothy 3:12, Philippians 3:10). Life here is temporary. Our hope is not in a broken world but in a redeeming God.
So yes—bad things will happen to good people. Not because of God’s cruelty, but because of the world’s brokenness.
To Suffer Is to Gain
Some say suffering draws us nearer to God. I think that’s true—though none of us wants suffering just for spiritual growth. But when trials do hit, Christians can take heart knowing we do not suffer alone.
El Roi—“the God who sees me”—sees every detail of your circumstances.
He knows your fears. He knows the number of hairs on your head. He sees what no one else sees.
I listened to a friend share a frightening life story recently, and he said, “This is where people usually cry, but I won’t shed sad tears here. God overcame. I feel His love for me—and those aren’t reasons for sad tears.” That resonated deeply.
If You’re in a Hard Season
If you’re in a difficult season of life right now, I want to encourage you.
Lean into His Word.
Pray without ceasing.
Cling to Him for dear life. Your eternity is counting on it.
El Roi sees you. And He has you.
“We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
and endurance produces character,
and character produces hope…”
—Romans 5:3–5
Thanks for joining me here this week. Please consider leaving a comment or sharing with a friend who might enjoy this blog.
Many blessings,
