Are you perplex when bad things happen to you or you undergo sufferings because you are a Christian? You might be confused when you see unpleasant things happening to good people! When I experienced similar situation, I was also confused and it nearly affected my faith, but God told me the reasons.
I would share the response GOD gave to me when I went through bad things and I hope it would help you as well.
I lost two kids within the interval of four years and the pains was just too much for me. Each experience is so bad that I did all I could but it was bound to happen.
Did Jesus Christ say ‘no suffering for Christians’?
Many preachers made us to believe that once we accept Jesus Christ, then no more suffering, no occurrence of bad things but all about us would be happiness. My experience as a Christian proves them wrong and I want you to be careful of such deceit.
Life on earth is all about good and bad and every inhabitant would go through various degrees of these two features.
No scriptural reference told us of permanent happiness on earth as claimed by the false preachers in our churches!
1. Jesus Christ said that all things won’t be easy as expected;
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33)
2. Apostle Peter admonished us to endure sufferings;
“…Therefore, let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator” (Please read all verses in First Peter chapter 4)
3. Bro Paul shared his bad times with the Corinthians;
“…who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble… For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ” (Second Corinthians chapter 1)
The list is endless but I want to emphasize that salvation through Jesus Christ does not absolutely stop you from suffering on earth but it saves you perfectly from joining those that would suffer forever in the lake of fire.
Can You Blame God for Bad Things?
Many became atheist due to this matter! But you cannot blame God because He is unquestionable and does not make mistake.
You can’t blame Him for bad things like death because it is an unchangeable programme in creature and He never told you that death is for the oldies, it was some of our preachers that deceived us.
You cannot blame God for the few reasons below:
1. Bad things started on earth when the first parents disobeyed a simple instruction. So, God was not originator of bad things, HE wants good things for us but Adam and Eve would never obey simple commandment. (Genesis chapter 3)
2. The presence of the Devil on earth made a multiplying effect of unpleasant conditions on earth. His target is to push everyone on earth to reject and curse GOD so that he would have many companions to the eternal place of punishment.
“Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” (Revelation 12:12)
3. The Righteous Judge is watching and waiting for the right time to bring an end to the first two points above which brought bad things to earth.
“…’Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’… Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”” (Matthew 13:24-30)
From my bad experience I noticed it is not the joy of the LORD to see me go through bad times, so HE comforts me…that’s the truth…HE mends me when I am disintegrated…Glory be to the LORD for my life today!
I cannot blame GOD for any unwanted situation in my life because I know HIM, I know how HE feels when I am down, HE condoles me and encourage me to be strong to the end…HE restores me!! It’s not GOD’s fault that bad things happen to you.
Why Bad Conditions Happen to Christians?
1. The Devil Restlessly Pollutes the Earth
Yes, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ had delivered us from eternal curse, but Satan is still much around attacking us.
“And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
(Revelation 12:17)
2. GOD Does not Abuse His Power Over You
You find yourself in trouble sometimes due to your wrong choice. Since you know the good from the bad, don’t expect GOD to shout from heaven to stop you from the risky choice you insisted to follow. Also, the sorrow you shared from your loved ones might be as a result of their disobedience to simple rules.
3. Political Powers
Christians suffer when the political leaders in the world takes an ungodly policy.
4. Environmental disaster
Hurricane, earthquake, floods, fire and the likes are phenomenon that can’t be ruled out of life.
5. Pandemic
The hygiene failure or evil implication of a small region can spread all over the world. Can we blame God of such scenario?
Six Steps to Take when Bad Things Happen
1. Weep to flush out stress hormones but don’t be wiped away.
2. Stop accusing GOD but ask for solutions.
3. Pray to God for His role in the matter and for proper understanding.
4. Find out the source and cause of the trouble; if the cause was avoidable then forgive yourself or the offender, but if the bad thing is beyond your control, then let it be…
5. In the case of loss of lives, console yourself through the word of God and remember that we are bound to die (so, God is not wicked to your lost one) because He had never told us that there is an age group that cannot die anytime.
6. Learn from the hard times and move forward.
Bad things are embedded in every day existence as mentioned by Jesus Christ in the Lord’s prayer model, but you can survive them always. Let your faith in GOD be stronger when you go through hard times because HE would surely restore you.
May the LORD deliver us from the evil of the day in Jesus’ name – Amen.
