Why Do Things Go Wrong?

I don't know about you, but it seems sometimes problems seem to come one right after another. You wake up in the morning and your car won’t start. This unfortunate event makes you late for work, your boss chews you out, and your whole day is ruined. On top of that, you find out that your car repairs will take 3 weeks to complete and to improvise will require you to take a city bus to work which in turn means having to get up at least 30 minutes earlier each morning. If all that was not aggravating enough, you then learn that sadly, a member of your family has been diagnosed with cancer! During times like these, we are prone to ask, “Why me, Lord?” “Haven’t I been living faithfully for you?”
I admit I have asked God this question more than once. Why do good people have to suffer bad things in their lives? It also seems that the righteous suffer while the wicked seem to prosper. They never seem to get punished! Has anyone else noticed that? You will be confused, perhaps even doubt God at some point, unless you look into scriptures that will give clarity to why things seem to go wrong with the very people who seem to live right. So let's do that.

Job saw this very thing during his time of affliction (refer to Job 21:7-15). I want to point out three biblical reasons why God allows good people to suffer that will hopefully shed light on those who question why it seems good people suffer while evil people seem to 'get away with murder.'
#1. To Establish FAITH
Suffering can and often does cause one who is not a Christian to recognize his great need for God. If one is to be saved, he must first know that he needs salvation. Think about it ... One who believes he is standing on dry land will not take hold of a life preserver even though he is truly drowning in the sea! Trials help to establish faith by causing us to see our condition before God (Luke 15:11-17). King Davis said, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now have I kept thy word …. It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I may learn thy statutes” (Psalm 119:67, 71). God allows some to suffer in order to establish faith in Him. It seems that sometimes we have to hit rock bottom before we realize how far we've fallen. It is in those times we awaken and realize the only direction we have to take is up, and it is then we repent and change.
#2. To Restore Faith
Sometimes a child of God goes astray and needs to be corrected and restored to the right path. As difficult as it may be to admit, there are many Christians who can relate to this. God doesn’t want to see any of His children fall away, so He chastens those who do (Hebrews 12:6-11). God did so with Israel as David wrote, “When He slew them, then they sought Him; And they returned and sought earnestly for God” (Psalm 78:34-NKJV) and honestly, He does so with His Church today. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent" (Revelation 3:19). When suffering, we should examine our own lives to determine if we are the recipient of divine chastisement (Psalm 119:75). Trials are designed to make us look inward at ourselves and upward to God (1 Peter 1:3-9) and that's a good thing!
#3. To Perfect Faith
For the faithful Christian, trials serve to mature and perfect the faith that is already present. With each trial we face successfully, there is growth. As Paul wrote, “And not only that but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance character; and character hope” (Romans 5:3-4- NKJV). With spiritual growth, comes the ability to better handle problems in the future. That's what we call learning from our mistakes. This is why James said, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (James 1:2-3). We should view our trials as God’s vehicle to perfect our faith and not as a punishment.


The Bible assures us that God works out all things for good to those who love Him (Romans 8:28). We can rejoice with assurance knowing, no matter what trial or problems come our way, God is going to make it work out for our best! We don't know everything that God does, but we can be certain that He is working to help us with our trials and to save as many souls as possible (2 Peter 3:9). If we have to suffer along the way, we shouldn't lose heart, because God is preparing us for eternity (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)- LOOK THAT ONE UP! Remember, He's not only the author of our faith but the finisher (Hebrews 12:2)! Everyone will occupy eternity in one place or the other (Matthew 23: 41, 46). How we respond to God will determine our destination! How are you responding? One last thought from the Apostle Paul, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). Hopefully the scriptures I've listed will not only encourage you when you face numerous trials but will help you understand why we sometimes face them.
Until next time,
-Pat