Why do bad things happen to good people?
I've seen people "finally" saved and then die shortly after ... why? I have a pastor who is devoted to God and his 15 year old son dies of brain cancer ... why? Our favorite pastor in TX got incurable brain cancer and was healed ... Why does he get healed and the 15 year old die? A couple of days ago, my nephew of 32 years over medicated himself and suffocated in his pillow ... why? Why don't all these situations have happy endings? Why do bad things happen to seemingly good people?
In 2001 our secretary suddenly died of a brain aneurism ... A beautiful mom of 2 girls, planning her retirement with her loving husband. They still had the cabin magazines on the kitchen table the night before her death ... why?
Maybe the question is "what" instead of "why". Maybe the question isn't "why God?" rather, "what does God want us to learn from this tragedy?". Is God's plans and ways far above ours? What does it look like at 30,000 feet and from His perspective?
I believe God's definition of good people is different than ours. The bible says no one is good. I think God's view of death is different than ours. He sees it as inevitavlble and has offered a way to heaven and a wonderful life for eternity. If you die young, as the apostle Paul says: to die is to gain ... (if you are saved) (Phillipians 1:21)
What we feel is tragic, God may feel differently. Is it tragic that we go to heaven early? Death sucks for the survivors, but not for the deceased ... When I die, I won't struggle with anything at all any more ... But my family and friends will miss me and hurt (I hope) ... But I gain ...
The bible says God's ways are not our ways and we should simply trust God in what happens. The important thing for now is to trust God, love him, and obey him (a product of love). We should trust his understandings and plans.
Proverbs 3:5-7 (NCV)
Trust the Lord with all your heart, and don't depend on your own understanding. Remember the Lord in all you do, and he will give you success. Don't depend on your own wisdom. Respect the Lord and refuse to do wrong.
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV) “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Live life with death in mind. Live life loving and trusting God. Ask God what is it you want me to learn from this seemingly bad thing? Pray and ask Him and He will answer ... I think "what" God wants us to do is to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, no matter what. LORD help us INJNIP amen ...
Created 9 months ago
