Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?

Q

I just finished reading your article, “Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?, and it left me with two questions. Having been born disabled from Cerebral Palsy, (I’m now 64 years old) if I say, think, or feel, “Hey, I didn’t deserve to be born with this disability”, am I not questioning God’s Fairness and Justice as Job did? If, however, I ask, “Why was I born in this fashion?, am I instead seeking to know God’s Purpose in allowing such to happen?

By the way, the only Biblical passage that seems to address my “why” question is in the Gospel of John, 9:1 – 7

A

The answer to your first question is yes. Whenever we try to justify ourselves we’re really condemning God. As for the second question, I think it is both appropriate and Biblically mandated to want to learn what God’s plan is for your life. (Romans 12:1-2)

But there’s also a third thing to consider that I addressed in part one of the article you referenced. 1 John 5:19 says that even though we’re children of God, the whole world is under the control of the evil one. To me that means that sickness and disease can not be attributed to God and are not always directly related to behavior. With Satan in control, We’re stuck in a sin infested world where things are simply not fair and where people suffer consequences they didn’t earn.

But even that leads us back to your second question. Satan’s goal is to make you hate God enough to reject Him. Seeking and then following God’s purpose for your life is the best way to heap coals on your real enemy’s head. And as it did for the man born blind in John 9, your life will also bring great glory to God.