Why do bad things happen to good people? We’ve all asked that question at one time or another. It seems like when there are circumstances either in our own lives or in the lives of others around us which are unjustified or unfair, we look up and ask, “why?”.
If God loves us, why would he allow us to feel such pain?
As parents we can expect challenging questions from our kids on this very subject. How do we explain that the God who created the universe and breathed life into each of us also allows bad things to happen to those He loves? It’s tricky. Kids, like many of us adults, see things as either fair or unfair. They understand punishment and reward. But they can’t truly make sense of bad things happening to good people, especially those they love. Reassure them that them that God is bigger than that compartmentalization. We must help our children through the healing process when bad things do happen to even the most righteous people, reminding them that the circumstance doesn’t mean God has stopped loving those people, or that He is punishing them. Sometimes all we can do is simply say, “I don’t know why this is happening, but we need to trust God in even this.”
We are called to trust in God during all times – the good and the bad. The best example of this is found in the book of Job. Granted, it’s not usually my go-to book of the Bible when I think of teaching my kids about God’s love. But certainly, the book of Job gives us ample examples of His Sovereignty. The fact is that God is truly in control of not only our own lives, but the very happenings in the universe! He is indeed THAT BIG and THAT POWERFUL. The newly released Volume 8 of What’s in the Bible? covers the Book of Job in a way that helps children (and adults) better understand the concept of trusting God. Here’s a song from Chuck Waggin about the book of Job:
The book of Job teaches us that we can trust God in all things … even when the bad stuff happens. It can be a tough thing to do, but He wants us to learn that even though we don’t understand why He allows bad things to happen the way they do, He is always in control. Job 13:15 “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.”
I think it’s pretty safe to say that most of us have struggled with trusting God when going through a personal struggle. Whether it’s a medical diagnosis, a financial fiasco, or the sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one; when tragedy strikes our lives, are we able to grieve but still trust God’s plan–even in the midst of our pain? For many of us the answer is, sometimes. But as God’s children, we are called by our Father, to trust Him at all times and in all things.
Parents, how have you taught your kids that we should trust God at all times?
About the author: Lisa Strnad lives with her husband and two sons in Nashville, TN. She works freelance in Christian media in the areas of writing, marketing strategies, and promotions. Lisa homeschools her youngest son, and actively supports local and nationally based autism awareness organizations. She is a weekly writer for the What’s in the Bible and Jelly Telly blogs.
