When Bad Things Happen to Those You Love
As if she didn’t have enough bad things happen. Years of wealth and luxury, but now she had only the dress on her back. A reputation and status of being one of the country’s leading ladies, however now she roamed garbage dumps for a meal. Her large, healthy family had been the pride of her life, but now childless.
And her healthy, vibrant, dynamic husband turned into a pitiful, broken down, sore infested old man. More than enough for any gal to handle. On top of that, her husband was a religious fanatic who sat around wondering what God tried to tell him through all this.
Mrs. Job said: “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9)
What should we do when bad things happen to those we love?
SEVEN REASONS BAD THINGS HAPPEN
- Sometimes they come by divine appointment.
Job faced the outcome of spiritual warfare. That conflict continues in our day. There’s a sense in which every bad event is ruled over by God, since He reigns sovereign over all things. But when we seek, we can discover several more immediate causes.
NATURAL CATASTROPHES
- Sometimes bad things happen through natural catastrophes.
The earth quakes, volcanoes erupt, waves pound, fires jump creeks, bridges collapse, plagues surge across a nation. We do not live in a perfectly safe world. The Bible says that rebellion against God caused the world’s present upheaval. Still, we look for explanations.
If God used natural disasters to eradicate sin, who would be left? He did that once and only eight survived the flood on Noah’s ark. The tower in Siloam fell as one of the many tragedies possible in a sin-tainted world.
THE WORLD’S SYSTEM
- Sometimes bad things happen because of trials and tribulation.
The tenor of society, the flow of civilization, the dominating ideas of the world’s system oppose God’s plan for His people. The collision of the wills of truth and lies produce tragic consequences.
Make a stand for good. March to support a biblical position. Protest for what you believe is right. You’ll likely find fervent, sometimes vicious opponents. This world produces much trouble.
FOOLISHNESS, GREED, AND BLOWING IT
- Bad things happen because of stupid actions.
By example, King Hezekiah caused the suffering devastation of Babylonian plunder for a future generation by his lack of discretion and wisdom (2 Kings 20).
- Because people give Satan an entry.
Judas had a problem with greed, which led to betraying Jesus. Judas gave Satan direct control of his life (Luke 22).
- The result from personal sin.
The man near the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem had a crippling disease for thirty-eight years. Jesus healed him, then presented a challenge: “Do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse may befall you” (John 5:14).
An alcoholic ruins his liver. A prostitute suffers from a venereal disease. Habitual gamblers face bankruptcy.
BEING A WITNESS
- Bad things sometimes happen when talking about Jesus.
Peter and John received a stern warning. Then they got flogged when they disobeyed.
“We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us” (Acts 5:28,40).
WHAT TO DO WHEN THOSE YOU LOVE FACE BAD TIMES
First, stand by them.
“There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).
Second, practice being a kind listener.
“But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger,” James advises (1:19).
Third, continue to show love.
“A friend loves at all times” (Proverbs 17:17).
Fourth, seek God’s counsel together.
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20).
MORE SUGGESTED ACTIONS WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN
Fifth, help them face responsibility.
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Proverbs 27:6).
“Restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).
Sixth, review God’s past faithfulness, provisions, and blessings.
Some things have gone right. Enjoy the loving memories and wonderful surprises, and re-live special events.
“When I pondered to understand this, it was troublesome in my sight, until I came into the sanctuary of God. Then I perceived their end” (Psalm 73:16,17).
When he grasped the long-range view of life, his heart and mind quieted in understanding.
Seventh, chart together new goals and dreams.
Unexpected situations may crush certain plans made. Look for new opportunities.
GIVE GOD TIME
Eighth, allow God time to work His best result.
Some bad things take time to assess. God told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
But that insight surfaced only after much pleading, praying, and questioning on Paul’s part. Many of life’s worst times have no easy quick-fix solutions or explanations.
CONCLUSION
Bad things do happen. But no one should face them alone. The message of Jesus, Emmanuel, God is with us! “In the world you have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!”
Hallelujah! Amen & Amen.
Stephen Bly
Circa 1990
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