Bad things happen in this world. There is not always a good reason that can be given. Good people suffer. Good people pass away. Good people get diseases. Good people need to keep on being good people. Now, go back and in place of ‘good people’ put ‘Christians’.

Even the faithful will suffer in this world. How do we deal with that?

The Bible teaches us that God cares for those who seek Him. The Bible teaches that God loves mankind. The Bible teaches that God is there for the faithful. The Bible does not teach that nothing bad will happen to the faithful.

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. This passage does not mean that only our good is the good that will occur. The overall good will happen. Many times, a Christian can look back and see the good that came out of a less than desirable situation. The good is seen in hindsight not necessarily when the situation is going on.

Jesus taught in Matthew 6:33 to seek His kingdom and His righteousness and our physical needs will be supplied. This does not mean that we will never be in need, but that the God of Heaven provides a way for us to fill the need. It is still up to us to do our part.

The world is full of people who do not desire to be pleasing to God, therefore things will happen that are not good. When this happens, it may not be what God desires, but He allows mankind to make choices, to have freewill. Not everyone will choose to see good or do good. Many will choose the broad way that leads to destruction.

Sometimes the destruction happens in this life, and people that may be doing some good are hurt, even killed. When this happens, may we Christians pray for the family of the victim, but also pray for the perpetrator to be taught the will of God and make a change in their life. The old saying of ‘hate the sin, but not the sinner’ applies in every case. God did not hate Cain, but He certainly did not like His sin. Prayer is a powerful tool, may all of us pray for those who are lost to be led to Christ. Pray that many of our nation choose to turn to the Lord and be obedient to the gospel. Pray that Christians the world over continue to stand for the truth of the Bible and be a light in the darkness.