Why do you think bad things happen?

[PrimFinallyFoundGod!]

By this I mean tragedies, physical and mental illness, natural disasters etc.

I don't mean things humans do like being violent and causing harm to others and the world because I already know this is caused by the fact humans have free will and have a natural inclination to sin. ESPECIALLY when they are faithless and don't think their actions have immortal consequences.

Some thing it is God's doing. Some thing it is Satan. Some just don't know

Atheists in particular use this topic as a top reason to oppose religion. They believe there cannot be a God who "allows" these things to happen. But does he? Does he "allow" these things to happen or is that just an assumption? We don't know how powerful Satan could be and what he can do?

Looking for biblical OR personal responses. Just curious about some things.

 

[WIP]

By this I mean tragedies, physical and mental illness, natural disasters etc.

I don't mean things humans do like being violent and causing harm to others and the world because I already know this is caused by the fact humans have free will and have a natural inclination to sin. ESPECIALLY when they are faithless and don't think their actions have immortal consequences.

Some thing it is God's doing. Some thing it is Satan. Some just don't know

Atheists in particular use this topic as a top reason to oppose religion. They believe there cannot be a God who "allows" these things to happen. But does he? Does he "allow" these things to happen or is that just an assumption? We don't know how powerful Satan could be and what he can do?

Looking for biblical OR personal responses. Just curious about some things.

Because we live in a fallen world.

 

[Highway54]

By this I mean tragedies, physical and mental illness, natural disasters etc.

I don't mean things humans do like being violent and causing harm to others and the world because I already know this is caused by the fact humans have free will and have a natural inclination to sin. ESPECIALLY when they are faithless and don't think their actions have immortal consequences.

Some thing it is God's doing. Some thing it is Satan. Some just don't know

Atheists in particular use this topic as a top reason to oppose religion. They believe there cannot be a God who "allows" these things to happen. But does he? Does he "allow" these things to happen or is that just an assumption? We don't know how powerful Satan could be and what he can do?

Looking for biblical OR personal responses. Just curious about some things.

Easy answer maam. Adam's sin.

 

[Hidden In Him]

By this I mean tragedies, physical and mental illness, natural disasters etc.

I don't mean things humans do like being violent and causing harm to others and the world because I already know this is caused by the fact humans have free will and have a natural inclination to sin. ESPECIALLY when they are faithless and don't think their actions have immortal consequences.

Some thing it is God's doing. Some thing it is Satan. Some just don't know

Atheists in particular use this topic as a top reason to oppose religion. They believe there cannot be a God who "allows" these things to happen. But does he? Does he "allow" these things to happen or is that just an assumption? We don't know how powerful Satan could be and what he can do?

Looking for biblical OR personal responses. Just curious about some things.

Hey, Prim.

People in the world who do not know God are allowed to experience hardships because the Lord hopes these will lead them to Him. He is the Great Physician, and even if the world cannot heal them, He can. He can fix anything, so while He allows them to go their own way, He knows that the time will come when evil in the world will catch up to them, and maybe they will see the need to turn to Him when it does.

But when it comes to those who do know Him, this is where things get more complicated, because the Lord will sometimes discipline those He loves that they not be condemned in eternity with the world. If they are engaging in sins that could potentially lead them in a very bad direction spiritually, or in things that are spiritually harming others, they can suffer as a result of God's judgment. 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 is an example of this, and Paul talked about it more in 1 Corinthians 11:28-34. There are several other instances in the New Testament as well.

 

[Riven]

By this I mean tragedies, physical and mental illness, natural disasters etc.

I don't mean things humans do like being violent and causing harm to others and the world because I already know this is caused by the fact humans have free will and have a natural inclination to sin. ESPECIALLY when they are faithless and don't think their actions have immortal consequences.

Some thing it is God's doing. Some thing it is Satan. Some just don't know

Atheists in particular use this topic as a top reason to oppose religion. They believe there cannot be a God who "allows" these things to happen. But does he? Does he "allow" these things to happen or is that just an assumption? We don't know how powerful Satan could be and what he can do?

Looking for biblical OR personal responses. Just curious about some things.

I think it's because it's random. You'll notice no one ever asks, why do good things happen? Why don't they ever ask that?

Why do children get cancer? We're told that this is part of a divine plan. But what could the plan possibly be? That the child suffers and dies a miserable death before even getting a chance to live? An element of randomness in nature explains why negative outcomes occur that seem to defy explanation.

Why are some people gay while most aren't? Is it a cruel joke? A mistake? Or is it because there's a certain amount of randomness in biological processes? Randomness explains why these things happen.

So, to answer your question, bad things happen because we live in a world where randomness exists. It's very dynamic for better or worse. It also means that good things will happen to you randomly. You might land on Free Parking when playing Monopoly as opposed to having to pay 75% tax on all properties owned. Lol.

 

[PrimFinallyFoundGod!]

I think it's because it's random. You'll notice no one ever asks, why do good things happen? Why don't they ever ask that?

Why do children get cancer? We're told that this is part of a divine plan. But what could the plan possibly be? That the child suffers and dies a miserable death before even getting a chance to live? An element of randomness in nature explains why negative outcomes occur that seem to defy explanation.

Why are some people gay while most aren't? Is it a cruel joke? A mistake? Or is it because there's a certain amount of randomness in biological processes? Randomness explains why these things happen.

So, to answer your question, bad things happen because we live in a world where randomness exists. It's very dynamic for better or worse. It also means that good things will happen to you randomly. You might land on Free Parking when playing Monopoly as opposed to having to pay 75% tax on all properties owned. Lol.

A very insightful answer thank you, this is an interesting thought

 

[jasonc]

If God doesn't actually control all that is.

Then prayer is meaningless ,useless .nothing good or evil is permitted without God allowing it .

Yet the fall was permitted and the judgement hasn't come .

Now then with PTSD .alot of life in the west is meaningless.i work and I will die and be forgotten .

If you really doubt that .I am the one who was tasked to find all info on my deceased father in law who died last saturday.he was 89.

Finding his fireman number ,his photos will be bittersweet.yet given the fact a few good photos that will wind up on a head stone will not tell the whole story of him when I'm dead ,his children are buried and all that remains is that head stone and some buried archive of him and others and the national archive .forgotten unless some one like me hunts it and even then as I have hunted for vets buried as far back as the Mexican American and war of 1812.i find bits of pieces.

Vanity .yet with God he never forgets .he knows and he will judge and bless according.my fil confessed Christ a few days before his death .to try to recall all about my fil is good but there are things he did and didn't say that died with him.

 

[jasonc]

Ottaway A Roach Sr. (1874-1957) - Find a Grave...

Buried: Jun 16 1957 SOURCE: City Clerk Office in Vero Beach, FL

www.findagrave.com

Ottaway A Roach Sr. (1874-1957) - Find a Grave...

Buried: Jun 16 1957 SOURCE: City Clerk Office in Vero Beach, FL

www.findagrave.com

Incidentally found as I wanted to learn of Jr as Jr was the fire chief who my fil started as a volunteer fireman under ,later it was guy Sullivan that talked him into full time . I will look up guy Sullivan.

Sr ,his son jr .there is not much else I could find on roach.thr grandson who told me about him .I know he said we have photos of him but not much else and the garage . That is what I mean .I know that bank .in fact it's my phone screen saver

 

[Riven]

I'm sorry you have to go through that jasonc

 

[jasonc]

I'm sorry you have to go through that jasonc

He was 89. It was a matter of time .

My wife let me see some photos I didn't before .one of her with her brother before I was born .I asked the location and she gave me the address .I said that was listed on one your families death certificates I read a few years ago and she said ora mae .it listed the old name of streets and the avenue intersection.when I talked old county history I had to use old names for them ,roads had names versus the number then ,I did that to give them an in idea where things are now .

 

[for_his_glory]

IMO, this is the reason why bad things happen in this world.

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
Hosea 4:7 As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.

 

[for_his_glory]

On the flip side as being a Christian we are to endure the trials and temptations that will come before us.

Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

What many are missing is the word "shall" in Matthew 24:13 as it's expressed as a future tense that indicates a promise.

For by grace, as it's only Gods favor extended to all who will receive it by faith, is a free gift as we become His workmanship created in Christ unto good works that God ordained that we should continue walking in the good works of Christ, Ephesians 2:8; Matthew 25:31-40. We can not earn our salvation by our own works nor do we even deserve Gods grace, Genesis 6:6-8. Only by a mustard seed of faith do we come to Christ and repent of our sins are we then only washed clean by the blood of Christ and become Spiritually reborn again (not saved) through the Spiritual rebirth of John 3:3-6 by that of Romans 10:9,10.

Matthew 24:13 says that those who endure until the end shall be saved. This means enduring all the trials and tribulations that this world will bring against us for the sake of our witness and testimony of Christ, Acts 14:22, Rev 2:10. The end means the end of our days here on this present earth when those in the grave and we who are still alive at His coming will then be caught up to Christ and are saved at that time as we have endured all things and never gave up our faith in Christ.

God's word never said we would not go through trials or tribulations, but through many trials and tribulations, if we endure until the end, then we will see the Kingdom of God, Acts 14:22, as we are all called into discipleship as we share our witness and testimony with those who have not yet repented and turned back to God. Below are twenty reasons why God allows us to go through trials and tribulations so that we will always remain in His will.


Why God allows us to go through trials and tribulations:
1. Training as God prepares us for the future
2. Patience as we rely and trust in God's timing
3. Perseverance through trials that we remain in Gods will
4. Trust as God's ways are not our ways and He has a better plan for us
5. To learn from our mistakes
6. To humble ourselves before Him
7. To discipline us
8. Teach us to be dependent on Him alone
9. To spend quiet time with God so He can speak to us
10. To teach us of His protection
11. That we also share in the sufferings of Christ that we be not ashamed
12. Strengthen us to become more like Christ
13. To develop character
14. Build up our faith in the Lord
15. For a testimony and witness to help others
16. To show us sin in our lives that we need to own up to having
17. To remind us that God is in control
18. Helps us gain knowledge and understanding God's word
19. Teaches us to be thankful
20. To take our mind off the things of the world and and put them back on God

 

[Blade]

By this I mean tragedies, physical and mental illness, natural disasters etc.

I don't mean things humans do like being violent and causing harm to others and the world because I already know this is caused by the fact humans have free will and have a natural inclination to sin. ESPECIALLY when they are faithless and don't think their actions have immortal consequences.

Some thing it is God's doing. Some thing it is Satan. Some just don't know

Atheists in particular use this topic as a top reason to oppose religion. They believe there cannot be a God who "allows" these things to happen. But does he? Does he "allow" these things to happen or is that just an assumption? We don't know how powerful Satan could be and what he can do?

Looking for biblical OR personal responses. Just curious about some things.

Its written Satan is the god of this world. As Christ said if this was His kingdom His servants would not have allow them to take Him yet it was for He came AMEN! Satan comes to kill steal and destroy. If one is not strong in the faith one can get very confused by some that say GOD does it all.

God told Israel once.. to make it simple He said see those other nations? If you do the same sin the earth will spit you out also. Sin does make this earth react and it is getting greater as Christ comes closer.

Hmm pearls.. if one knew who they are in Christ and knew their rights in this earth and what the great I AM gave us where you "live" hmm would would see great things happen to the land the animals around you.

 

[PrimFinallyFoundGod!]

Its written Satan is the god of this world. As Christ said if this was His kingdom His servants would not have allow them to take Him yet it was for He came AMEN! Satan comes to kill steal and destroy. If one is not strong in the faith one can get very confused by some that say GOD does it all.

God told Israel once.. to make it simple He said see those other nations? If you do the same sin the earth will spit you out also. Sin does make this earth react and it is getting greater as Christ comes closer.

Hmm pearls.. if one knew who they are in Christ and knew their rights in this earth and what the great I AM gave us where you "live" hmm would would see great things happen to the land the animals around you.

Is there a quote in the bible that says Satan is the god of Earth?

 

[for_his_glory]

Is there a quote in the bible that says Satan is the god of Earth?

2Cor 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2Cor 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
2Cor 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2Cor 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2Cor 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
2Cor 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

By this I mean tragedies, physical and mental illness, natural disasters etc.

I don't mean things humans do like being violent and causing harm to others and the world because I already know this is caused by the fact humans have free will and have a natural inclination to sin. ESPECIALLY when they are faithless and don't think their actions have immortal consequences.

Some thing it is God's doing. Some thing it is Satan. Some just don't know

Atheists in particular use this topic as a top reason to oppose religion. They believe there cannot be a God who "allows" these things to happen. But does he? Does he "allow" these things to happen or is that just an assumption? We don't know how powerful Satan could be and what he can do?

Looking for biblical OR personal responses. Just curious about some things.

20For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. Romans 8:20-21

It is God’s will that we are subjected to futility and frustration and decay in this life in the hope that it will lead us to freedom from that decay.

People in the world who do not know God are allowed to experience hardships because the Lord hopes these will lead them to Him.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

The answer to your question is contained in some of the answers above. It will be difficult to understand the answer if one believes either God causes all things that happen or allows all things that happen and nothing ever happens from folllowing the natural course of the world laid out from the beginning or with time. If one thinks God is behind EVERYTHING, then one will never arrive at understanding because one's thinking is wrong from the get go. So that ought to be said up front.

Now, there are matters God cause. There are matters God allows. But there are many many matters than happen and are the result of choices people make or chance perhaps. Let us take sickness. Derek Prince, a man whom God used to heal many, was lying in bed seriously ill. He asked God about his illness and was told that his lifestyle in choices of food lead to his illness. God did not do it. God did not "allow it." It came as a result of his eating choices. If a smoker gets lung cancer, God did not do it and God did not allow it. It was a natural result of choices made over the years. I work in medicine and I think that this is very likely a common answer as to why people become ill. Sometimes it is choices others made as well as their own. But to lay our suffering at God's doorstep in some form leads to blindness. What did Derek do? He repented and changed his eating habits. Seems a lot more substantial than "God was trying to teach him something and so inflicted him."

I think this is a view that matches real life and one a man can grow through life with some understanding. God is not causing all things nor preventing all things nor "allowing" all things. He does sometimes and for reasons that can be understood if one walks with Him and and ask Him "why is this happening and what do you want me to do?" The answer the Almighty gives varies with the cause and situation but I do admit that not many in Christendom know how to ask God direct questions and hear the answer.

 

[Riven]

If evil and sin were not part of this world, would we understand the nature of God's love and the significance of Christ's savrifice on the cross? Maybe it has to be this way for us to understand. Just thinking out loud here.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

If evil and sin were not part of this world, would we understand the nature of God's love and the significance of Christ's savrifice on the cross? Maybe it has to be this way for us to understand. Just thinking out loud here.

Hi Riven,

I have heard this proposition before. It is similar to the idea that we need dark so we know what light is or we need evil so we know what good is. I thought about this a bit and think it does not bear out in real life. We do not need to know sorrow to know happy. An infant will laugh and smile and give all indications of experiencing happiness. This is totally independent of sad or suffering. Sad is not necessary to know joy. Sitting here right now, I am not in pain. So my body is experiencing peace. But pain is not necessary to experience peace. Pain was not given to us so we know physical peace. It was given to us to avoid damage, a warning. Your statement is not the same, of course, but close.

Now in a world where we do not experience the reality, Heaven, there is light and no darkness and darkness is not necessary. That is a world, the angels and so on, KNOW that God is good and love. Evil is not there and not necessary. They knew the nature of God's love because they know Him. No sacrifice was necessary. It was known before the sacrifice. And so this is really the answer to your proposition. The sacrifice of Christ was not necessary to know that God is loving. Anyone who comes to know Him knows this from seeing what He does and why. The sacrifice was just one of these choices that He makes.

How does that sound?

 

[Riven]

Hi Riven,

I have heard this proposition before. It is similar to the idea that we need dark so we know what light is or we need evil so we know what good is. I thought about this a bit and think it does not bear out in real life. We do not need to know sorrow to know happy. An infant will laugh and smile and give all indications of experiencing happiness. This is totally independent of sad or suffering. Sad is not necessary to know joy. Sitting here right now, I am not in pain. So my body is experiencing peace. But pain is not necessary to experience peace. Pain was not given to us so we know physical peace. It was given to us to avoid damage, a warning. Your statement is not the same, of course, but close.

Now in a world where we do not experience the reality, Heaven, there is light and no darkness and darkness is not necessary. That is a world, the angels and so on, KNOW that God is good and love. Evil is not there and not necessary. They knew the nature of God's love because they know Him. No sacrifice was necessary. It was known before the sacrifice. And so this is really the answer to your proposition. The sacrifice of Christ was not necessary to know that God is loving. Anyone who comes to know Him knows this from seeing what He does and why. The sacrifice was just one of these choices that He makes.

How does that sound?

But the baby is only happy when his or her needs are met. A good or evil parent makes all the difference.

I think perhaps in order to know why God being the perfect representation of love is so significant is because evil happens in our lives whether we want it to or not. If we had our needs met every moment of every day, how could we know whay good is? How do we know whay God's presence feels like if we've never felt it before, and why then should we seek it?