From the time we are children, we begin asking the question. In the early years, the question is asked about everything. The question is, “Why?”
As we get older, we still ask it. As a matter of fact, in the Bible the question is asked about 300 times! Believers are often asked it, too. “If there is a God, and He is so good, why does all this bad stuff happen?” And, most of the time I have to answer, “Uh, I don’t know.”
Having said that, I think a better question might be, “Can anything good come out of bad things?” Now, the Bible is filled with answers to that!
Bad things can be used to purify and refine us (I Peter 1:6-7).
Bad things can help mature and develop us (James 1:2-4).
God works bad things out for the good of His children (Romans 8:28).
God’s power works in our brokenness (2 Corinthians 12:8-9).
The life of Jesus can be seen in those who endure (2 Corinthian 4:9-11).
Bad things help us to depend on God and not self. (2 Corinthians 1:8-9).
In the Old Testament, Joseph was sold by his brothers. He spent years in prison because he did the right thing and kept his morality. He could have bemoaned all the bad stuff and ruined his life with that question. Later, he told his brothers in Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
So instead of always asking why the bad things are happening, let’s see what God has planned in spite of it all!
Bruce Henderson is the pastor at Airport Road Church of Christ, Carson City.
