Archive: Why Do Bad Things Happen? (2020)

Have Faith

(Reference: Ephesians 6:12)

Sometimes, I wonder: Why do bad things happen to innocent people?  Some people experience abuse, neglect, domestic violence, poverty, loneliness, bereavement, or discrimination, loss of a loved one, loss of jobs, mental health concerns, or physical ailments. This question is common and frequently raised, and it is not easy to explain. The usual conclusion is to pray for peace and healing. This idea is a simple way to reassure the heart and mind when we lose faith. In my previous post, I explained that God is a spirit being, and when we pray, this influences our physical environment. When people have an evil spirit or bad influences in their lives, they can affect the spiritual climate and the people they meet.  Although God has a plan for humanity and the Earth, there are demonic influences that attempt to work against His perfect plan. We have free will and can make our own decisions despite all of this. A good spirit can make better decisions, apply wisdom, and self-assessment to impact their environment positively. When we walk in obedience with the Holy Spirit, we remain kind in harmful or unpleasant situations. We must stay under the presence and guidance of the Lord and harbour the Holy Spirit in our hearts. Here are some reasons why bad things happen:

1. To test our faith

2. To destroy evil 

3. To show a sign 

1. To Test Our Faith

We can overcome evil (Matthew 11:28). We have the power to treat others with respect and kindness. When things go wrong, we must not question our belief system or adopt a false schema.

We can use our circumstances as a message to other individuals to nurture growth and understanding. These strategies build faith and endurance. So when bad things happen, do not blame God but seek Him to achieve a perfect solution despite the circumstance (John 10:10).  There are many examples of strong and courageous people in the bible who demonstrated faith. A brilliant example is Job; He lost his entire family and all his wealth and possessions. Yet, he remained faithful, and everything that he had lost got restored to him in full, and he acquired even more than he had owned initially (Job 42:10). Another great example is Daniel, who prayed fervently to the Lord to achieve spiritual obedience despite the law to serve a different God altogether (Daniel 6:10). When we put God against human-made gods, false gods, or magical influences, He always wins. Sarah demonstrated faith in the Lord and gave birth to a son, even though the childbearing window had closed (Genesis 11:30). So, although there are bad influences that attempt to work against our well-being, God’s miracles are activated when we remain under his spiritual guidance and maintain our faith in Him. 

2. To Destroy Evil

When the Israelites were in the wilderness, they depended on the Lord for guidance. Initially, they prolonged the process of getting to the promised land by remaining disobedient. In difficulty, we must pray to affect the spiritual atmosphere around us and other individuals. We must walk with the Spirit under challenging times, so the demonic influences surrounding us will lose strength and struggle to operate in our lives. Unfortunately, the demonic kingdom is operational. However, we must not strengthen its impact in our lives or another individual’s life by blaming God or having faith. Minimal effort is as reasonable as not putting any effort in at all. When it comes to serving His kingdom, the bible says we must always remain vigilant as the devil seeks to devour (1 Peter 5:7-9). Similarly, Noah constructed a magnificent ark for his family and the animals to leave the world behind them, as the world had fallen into deep sin. This project was an instruction from the Lord, and with faith, he began to build the ark. Noah used the resources God provided him with to complete the project. This kind of task required immense dedication and determination, as no one believed in what he was to achieve – listening to Noah would have benefited the community. They were carried away in a massive flood after several years of bad behaviour, causing harm to themselves and individuals in the community. The flood rose above their homes and destroyed everything. Afterwards, God sent a beautiful dove to Noah and his family, suggesting that all the surrounding areas were dry, and the flood had ended. This message was followed by a rainbow that signified a promise that He would never flood the Earth again. The flood served as a spiritual and physical cleansing that healed the world. God does not like sin, as this was not His intention for the Earth. 

3. To Show us a Sign

God always sends us signs, and sometimes we jeopardise ourselves when we choose to ignore them, or when we don’t have enough faith to believe in them. For example, the rainbow is a message to humankind. It signifies hope for the future to come, that we will lead to a better existence following His will. The dove is another brilliant symbol that suggests peace of the deepest kind. It represents the calm we get to experience after a challenging period – after the sweat, patience, or waiting. It is a motherly symbol that brings peace after much calamity. It is supposed to soothe and quiet our anxieties and troubled thoughts, enabling us to find the mind’s renewal. It’s a spirit messenger that represents the Holy Spirit, and the dove is supposed to be the Holy Spirit during the baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:16, Luke 3:22), which helps us go about our lives calmly and with purpose. The dove is a sign of new life, and it is positive as it suggests growth and progress. Look up. You may spot a dove or a rainbow, which could serve as a reminder that you are not alone, and these symbols may provide you with a sense of hope. Furthermore, God uses His angels as messengers to deliver a message to us. He uses them to protect us and guide us. Sometimes, they intervene for us and give us advice and encouragement along the way - Look out for their signs.