Why do bad things happen to good people?

The book of Job posed this question quite possibly before any other literature in the world. Though its the oldest of mysteries answers are difficult to find. Like a dense cloud on top of a mountain it veils our attempts to get close to God.

In just the last few days I've received word of a friend dying in a car crash, of another who was beaten and robbed, of another friend and young father dying and yet another who has been diagnosed with cancer.

Philip Yancey says, "A relationship with God does not promise supernatural deliverance from hardship, rather a supernatural use of it." I agree with that...

most of the time...

right now I don't feel anything supernatural about this.

A Way Out

Sure I am of this; that you only have to endure to conquer. Churchill

I Cor 10:13 assures us that "He will provide a way out." I think our expectations and perspectives are fascinating to study. When we fail to meet our expectations then adversity sets in. For some this adversity is lethal. Psychologists have coined the phrase, “learned helplessness” to explain the feeling of helplessness one feels after lots of failures. If you're someone who just can't seem to measure up, or can't catch a 'break' or keeps falling to temptation then sooner or later you'll probably deal with this learned helplessness idea. That's where your spiritual enemy wants you to be... hopeless.

But there is hope.
And there are options.
And He can provide a way out.

And then you say, "I've already tried. He hasn't come through." Well, then try again. Look, if you’ve only got one bullet then I’d be reluctant to fire it as well. But you don’t. You have lots of them. You just have to keep firing.

I love what Henry Cloud says, "What if your hope is not in one particular option but in the belief that if you keep looking for options one will appear?"