Why does God let bad things happen?

Why does God let bad things happen?

The answer to this question is free will. And love. And sin. Please make sure you read to the bottom!

Let me explain.

God gave every person free will - that you decide your decisions for your life. He did this initially by giving Adam and Eve a choice in the Garden of Eden (see Genesis 3). Without a choice to follow God or not, we would not have free will. 

Adam and Eve didn't follow Gods' command, and by doing so, committed sin. This sin still affects the world today. (For an overview of the situation from Adam and Eve to present, please see The Gospel in a nutshell)

How sin affects the world

People can decide to do what they want and ignore God. Christ teaches us to love the Lord your God with all your strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves as the most important commandments. This is the core of the issues on earth. 

When people decide to not follow these commandments and everything else associated with them, it causes pain with others. It doesn't even have to be immediate, but someone's sin could hurt another person or group of people years down the road.

Why is Free Will so important?

Love.

God created people to love Him and others. Without free will, we couldn't have an honest love. Sure God could have 'programmed' humanity to love Him. But that would be forced love, and not pure, honest love.

So knowing the above, here is a few reasons why God lets bad things happen:

1.) People are given free will, for God to intervene every time something bad happens would prevent this free will.

2.) This free will is an important point for you to be capable of honest love. 

Then did God abandon me then to this ______ situation that I/others are in? 

no. No! NO! Heres why:

1.) He will never leave you nor forsake you. Ever. 

Hebrews 13:5 ESV

"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”"

2.) God makes things work out for good for those who love Him

Romans 8:28  ESV

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

3.) If you are Christian, remember to Hold on your faith, have Gratitude for what you do have, and to pray with thanksgiving. Remember that He does things In His timing. 

Philippians 4:6 ESV

"do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

At the end of the the day - try to stay positive, and be grateful. Thank God for what you do have. Bad things will happen on this earth, but you can learn from them. Often I have found bad situations can bring you very close to God, as you learn to lean on Him and trust Him. And that's a blessing!

Thanks for reading!