One of the most challenging questions that we as a people have struggled with the most is this: If our God is a good and loving God, why do bad things happen to good people?

This is not an easy question to answer, and perhaps one that we cannot answer fully because we are bound by our limited human understanding. But the Bible does have important things to say regarding this that can bring us insight and comfort on this matter.

In Matthew 5:45, Jesus says, “He gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike” (NLT).

Here Jesus is saying that both the righteous and unrighteous experience the good and bad of life. Why is this? Because God fashioned the world and everything in it according to free will.

But it goes deeper than that. Free will is so important to the Lord because God is love, and there is no love without free will. Picture this for a moment: if God, through His almighty power, made you love Him, would that really be loving at all? Of course not. So, God is not going to just strip free will away from creation to pluck us out of our difficulties and trials. Instead, God does things a different way.

Romans 8:28 says, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (NIV).

Even though we experience bad things in life, we have the assurance that God will use every experience both good and bad to drive us forward toward the purpose He has prepared for our lives.

Everything in life is pointing us toward our eternal destiny, where God will reign and obliterate death, pain, suffering and tears sin once and for all.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” Revelation 21:4-5

It’s this glorious future where we must keep our eyes focused. In doing so, we will find unmatchable peace, comfort, and confidence through the trials of this life.

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You can write the Pastor at pastorbilly@findtruelife.com.