Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? This Pastor Explains
Ever wondered why bad things happen to good people? It seems unfair to witness kind-hearted, selfless people suffering, and it is human nature for people to ask God why.
Even the prophet Job, who lived righteously and served God faithfully, lost his health, wealth, family, and property. So he asked God in Job 3:20: "Why let people go on living in misery? Why give light to those in grief?"
Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church wrote on his website that people have this misconception that if they understand the reason behind their pain, then it will make their ordeal easier to bear. But he said that kind of thinking is wrong.
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"You don't need an explanation; you need strength. You don't need an explanation; you need a Savior. You don't need an explanation; you need comfort and support," he said.
Warren said he has been studying the "why" question for years, and even up to now, he still does not know the answer. He has come to the conclusion that he is never going to know, because he is not God.
"Some things we're just never going to understand until we get to the other side of death. Then it's all going to become very, very clear. Only God knows," he said. "And if you don't get His answer right off the bat, you might as well stop asking 'Why?' because you're simply prolonging the pain."
Warren reminded people of the Bible verse Proverbs 25:2a, which says: "It is God's privilege to conceal things." He explained that sometimes, God intentionally hides things from His followers so they will learn how to trust Him and live by faith rather than by their feeling.
"God doesn't owe you an explanation for anything," the pastor stressed. "God doesn't have to check in with you first before He does something. God doesn't have to get your permission before He allows things to happen in life. God is God, and we're not always going to understand why some things happen."
But one day, Warren said everything is going to make sense. Until then, people have to learn how to trust God.
Pope Francis was also asked years ago why good things happen to bad people, reported Vatican Radio.
"Why Lord? This is one of the many questions we have. Why does this brazen evildoer who cares nothing for God nor for neighbor, who is an unjust person – even mean – and things go well in his whole life, he has everything he wants, while we, who want to do good, have so many problems?" the Pope said.
The answer, he said, can be found in Psalm 1, which says: "Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, but delights in the law of the Lord."
Pope Francis said when it comes to God's record book, evil people will have no name. Only adjectives would be used to identify them: an evil one, a con man, a pimp. But all those who made an effort to go on the way of Lord would carry His name: Jesus Savior.
"It is a name that is difficult to understand, inexplicable for the trial of the Cross and for all that He suffered for us," he said.
