Forgive me, but when I hear this question my mind almost always goes to Ross in an episode of “Friends.”
That Ross, he’s so dramatic! But shampoo or moisturizer all over the inside of your suitcase IS annoying. Ross asks the question we’ve all asked at some point in our lives, I think, and it’s this: Why do bad things happen to good people? In other words, why does God allow it?
I’m not going to pretend like I’m wise enough to know the answer to that. But on a radio show the other day I heard an answer that helped put the question in perspective. The guy said that when the question is asked, it could be flipped just as easily: Why does God allow good things to happen?
That’s the first time I heard a response in that way… and all I could do was respond, “Hhhhmmm. Good point.” The ultimate answer is that God can do whatever He wants. He is all good but a lot of times people get in their own way. I can certainly attest to that (remember my goofball error earlier this year?). God has done Himself and us a big favor. He gave us free-will. Without it, we’re just robots. Without it, we can’t really show that we love Him. Think of a pet you love. If they were programmed to love us back, it wouldn’t mean anything. Not even close to how special it feels when a dog wags its tail at the sight of you, or a horse stands still so we can hug it.
Bad things happen and it sucks. This year has had more bad moments than I’d prefer but I’m going to try not blaming God for it. Instead, I want to go to Him as Jehovah Shalom, the Lord Our Peace. Immanuel, God With Us. Jehovah Rapha, the Lord Who Heals.
I’d love to get your thoughts on this topic. Comment below and subscribe if you have a second…
-Out of the Wilderness
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