So many of us ask the question, Why does a loving God let bad things happen?. Unbelievers use this question as an excuse to not believe in God. At the same time, believers struggle with this question also. I believe it’s because it’s hard to experience (or watch others experience) the tribulations of this life knowing that God could fix it all in an instant, and He sometimes chooses not to. I don’t have all the answers, but scripture can give us some understanding to this question, if we desire it.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I pray to you today asking for understanding. I know You have ultimate power, more than we can ever fathom. I also know that there is unbelievable evil in this world at the same time. Please help me understand why You, a loving God, will let bad things happen in this world.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen.    

QUESTIONS:

WHAT GOD CREATED

Read Genesis 1 & 2. Do you see sin of any kind? How would you describe the world as God initially created it?

ABILITY TO CHOOSE

From the very beginning God gave man the ability to choose. We see this in Genesis 1:26-28 and Genesis 2:15-17. According to these verses what kind of choices did God entrust to man, and do you think we’ve made God proud with the choices we have made?  

FALLEN WORLD

God even gave the angels the ability to choose. We know this when we read Revelation 12:7-12, because the fallen angel (Satan) and his followers chose to rebel. Because of this he was thrown out of Heaven (Luke 10:18). Where does Satan and his followers live, and what power do you think Satan holds in this world?

HEAVEN’S A SECOND CHANCE AT WHAT GOD FIRST CREATED

After reading all of the verses, why does this world have so many bad things happen, despite the fact that God created it without sin?

Read REVELATION 21:1-8. The new Heaven and new Earth is the promise of what we will be given! In what ways does this bring you encouragement when bad things happen in this life?

FINAL THOUGHT ON WHY DOES GOD LET BAD THINGS HAPPEN

You searched scripture and found two ways that God shows His love to us (the ability to choose, and a second chance to live in a perfect world, Heaven), and two reasons why bad things happen in this world (man makes sinful choices, and Satan rules this world). Why do you think a loving God lets bad things happen?

AUTHORS THOUGHTS

Read Genesis 1 & 2. Do you see sin of any kind? How would you describe the world as God initially created it?  

Sinless and Perfect

What kind of choices did God entrust to man, and do you think we’ve made God proud with the choices we have made?  

Genesis 1:26-28 – dominion over the earth. God gave man the ability to rule over the earth and everything in it. He entrusted us to take care of the earth, the animals etc. To do that we need to make choices, what we think is best to care for it. Genesis 2:15-17 God gave Adam a choice, and told Him what He wanted him to choose. Adam chose the opposite of what God wanted Him to do. Overall, I think God is disappointed in our choices, not all of them, but a lot of them. I say this because we have become a selfish world, because we do what is best for us, and not the world.

Where does Satan and his followers live, and what power does Satan hold in this world?

He is here on this earth, and has “great wrath”. He does what he can to turn people’s focus away from God.  

After reading all of the verses, why does this world have so many bad things happen, despite the fact that God created it without sin? God gave everyone the ability to choose, even Satan. Satan chooses to try to turn people against God, and man just makes bad choices. This world is not perfect anymore, so we can’t expect our lives to be perfect.

In what ways does this bring you encouragement when bad things happen in this life?

This reminds me that Heaven is our second chance to live in a perfect world! This proves that God loves us, despite our sins, He is preparing a perfect place for us to reside for eternity.

Why do you think a loving God lets bad things happen?

I think God lets bad things happen because He gave the people in the world the ability to choose, even if it’s the wrong choice. He didn’t create robots, He created people, and angels. Yes, people make bad choices and we can count on Satan to do the same! I can’t answer why God performs miracles on some, and not everyone. But our loving God has defeated Satan by giving us another chance to live in perfection. That promise, of eternal life in Heaven can bring comfort during bad times.

We hope you search our website, Christian Fellowshipping, for more encouraging ways to fellowship with God and other believes.

References:
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.