When Bad Things Happen to Good People, We Need to Let God Be God

Have you felt the weight of the world on your shoulders? See your world collapsing around you as bad things happen, often quickly in succession without relief in sight?

I was speaking with a close friend of mine today who has been through many problems in the last few years, including a serious illness, financial difficulties, disappointment in her career, and the lonliness of singlehood. Indeed, like many of us in the world today, she is living in hard times.

Despite her faith, she said she was tempted to ask why bad things happen to good people and was even on the verge of giving up on God.

But, as I told her, I tell you today who struggle under the pressures of life, don't give up; bad things may happen, but God can use these circumstances and turn them for your good.

Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen in the First Place?

Self-interest human nature makes it easy for us to question the veracity of the Bible and God's love when all we see is the violence and destruction of the world around us; if a natural disaster is not claiming the lives and property of families around the globe, murder, disease and greed monopolizes the media and society.

It is easy to forget that God still cares, if he even remembers us at all. But, the Bible tells us to take heart, for he has a path to victory that can defeat even the worst when bad things happen to us (1 John 5:3-5).

While we are not assured of a carefree life on earth, we are guaranteed victory when we are living in the righteous grace and love of Jesus Christ.

John 16:33 tells us what we already know about the world today: bad things happen. But, while "In this world you will have trouble," Jesus encourages, "But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Furthermore, God allows negative circumstances and events in our lives and those around us to bring us closer to Him; while many times, it can be easy to fall into depression or discouragement in the face of such adversity, Christians must dig in to the Word and exercise their faith as a muscle, strengthening ourselves to follow God's will no matter what the enemy throws at us.

As we learn to trust in God to supply our needs and to right the wrongs in our lives, we will be able to deflect the enemy's attacks (the bad things happening in our lives), and praise God with all that we have, in feast or famine, in triumph or tragedy.

Your Breakthrough is Close, and The Enemy Knows!

The enemy (Satan) also urges bad things to happen to test our faith, just as he did with Job, or to keep us from the God-given destiny that he knows will be fulfilled if we continue to live in God's grace.

The devil even tempted Jesus to give up his throne, even going so far as to justify sin by perversing Biblical passages (Matthew 4:1-11).

By manifesting temptation and bad things to happen in your life, the enemy is trying his hardest to enslave you and keep you from achieving the great life and the promises of God, as outlined in Psalm 112.

Furthermore, the devil knows that if he can keep you seduced by fear, worry and temptation, he has not lost your soul, for the Bible says in Romans 6:5-7:

If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with,that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

You are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

If you are going through hardship right now, maybe in a relationship, your finances, your health, any area of your life, now is the time to remember the promises of the Bible, which is the living seed of the Word of God.

It is also time to see yourself as God sees you, just as described in Psalm 139:14, "fearfully and wonderfully made."

Remember these four promises in the face of adversity:

• Your Mountain(s) Can and Will Be Moved with Faith (Matthew 21:21)
• God Will Never Leave You or Forsake You (Hebrews 13:5)
• Nothing Can Separate You from God's Love (Romans 8:38-39)
• God Has Promised You a Great Future (Jeremiah 29:11)

If you will remember to praise God for the good things in your life (and when you get to thinking about it, chances are you will find PLENTY), and keep an attitude of faith, God will help you rise higher to where the enemy cannot condemn you with his lies any longer.

Just as the Word describes in Isaiah 59:19, "When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him."