This is a question that has been posed by many Christians (and non Christians) the world over. Several variations exist too:

Why do ‘bad’ things happen to ‘good’ people?

Why do ‘bad’ things happen to God’s people?

My dad happened to preach a sermon on this last Sunday from Romans 8:18-27. Here is a summary of his message. (My notes italicized)

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1) There are generally four responses to suffering

- Denial
- Getting Angry – Blaming God
- Blaming others; This originated in the Garden of Eden. Adam blaming Eve, and Eve blaming the Serpent.
- Accepting it and learning from it. Think of Job – the Lord gives and the Lord takes.

Romans 8:18- SUFFERING compared to GLORY. Sufferings of this world are not worth comparing to future glory.

Hebrews 12:3 - Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

(This is Easter. Thinking of the suffering that Christ underwent for my sins. The 39 lashes alone that he suffered leaves the back with no skin; a messy sight of blood and flesh. The nails were probably driven through the palm of his hands – rather painful. The rejection from his Father in heaven as he took on the sins of the world must have hurt the most. The Father could not look on sin)

2) Three truths regarding Suffering

- Suffering is temporary (19-22). For a Christian, death is not the end. We live in a decaying world.
- Suffering is for our learning (23-25). A lot of groaning even for Christians, over loved ones gone astray, and many more. But we have hope, but we must be patient. No one hopes for what he can see.
(1 John 3:1-3)
- Suffering is beneficial (26-27) the Spirit intercedes for us and helps us in our weaknesses.

3) Three thoughts to Consider:

- Suffering is a Necessary part of the Christian Life
- God uses Suffering to prepare us for glory
- Suffering can never separate us from God (Rom 8:35)

4) Don’t ask ‘why do bad things happen to good people’.

There are NO good people. (light bulb moment). The better question to ask is: ’Why do good things happen to bad people’.

This is a GOOD thing – Christ dying for us -> (Rom 5:8 – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this; while we were still sinners, Christ died for us)

That is why it is the Good News.

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Here is a similar article on the same question.