It’s one of the most asked, and most heartfelt, questions in the world. If God is really good, and if He really loves us, then why do we face pain, suffering, injustice, and heartbreak? Why do tragedies happen, and why doesn’t God stop them?
First of all, if you’ve ever asked that question, you’re not alone. In fact, you’re in good company with prophets, followers of Jesus, and even Jesus Himself, who cried out in deep pain on the cross, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46). If Jesus can ask the question, then so can we. It’s okay to ask hard questions. God isn’t offended by our hurt, our doubts or even just our desire to understand.
So, why do bad things happen? The Bible offers a few important truths that help us begin to understand:
1. God created a good world, but humanity turned away.
When God created the world, it was full of beauty, peace, and harmony. Humanity was made in His image, with the capacity to love, relate, and respond to Him. However, rather than trust God’s way, people chose their own way, and sin entered the world (Genesis 3). Since then, we’ve lived in a broken world where pain, division, and suffering are all too real, not because God wanted it that way, but because creation no longer reflects the fullness of what it was meant to be.
2. God doesn’t cause evil; He permits it for a time, and He is not absent.
This is one of the hardest tensions in the Christian faith. While God has the power to stop all evil and suffering, for reasons we may not fully grasp this side of eternity, He allows it, temporarily, just like we see in the book of Job. However, that doesn’t mean He is absent or uninvolved. Scripture tells us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). God draws near in our suffering and offers hope, healing, and ultimately, restoration.
3. God brings beauty out of brokenness.
One of the most hopeful truths is that God can take even the worst situations and bring good out of them. Romans 8:28 tells us, “In all things God works for the good of those who love him.” It doesn’t say everything is good; it says God can work good out of it. Many people have found purpose, healing, and even faith through the hardest seasons of their lives.
4. This world is not the end of the story.
The Christian hope isn’t that life will always be easy; it’s that God has promised to one day restore everything. Revelation 21:4 says that in the world to come, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” That’s the future we’re headed toward because of Jesus.
In this world, we should not be surprised when bad things happen, and we may never have every answer. However, what we do know is this: God is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). He is good. He loves us deeply, and He has done something about our suffering through Jesus. He doesn’t just give us answers; He gives us Himself.If you’re hurting or questioning today, you’re not alone. God is big enough for your questions and close enough to carry you through them. Ready to dig a little deeper? Check out our Resources page to learn more about Jesus, and how our hope lies in Him, and not in our circumstances.