This question often arises from a misunderstanding of human nature and God’s justice. According to Scripture, no one is truly good by God’s standard. All have sinned and fall short of His glory (Romans 3:23). What we perceive as “good” is relative and limited by our own perspective.
Romans 3:10 says:
“There is none righteous, no, not one.”
Bad things happen in this world because of sin. When Adam sinned, death and suffering entered the human experience (Genesis 3). We live in a fallen world where pain, sickness, and injustice are realities for everyone.
Romans 5:12 explains:
“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin… thus death spread to all men.”
However, God is not distant from our suffering. He uses trials for His purposes, even when we cannot understand them. Joseph suffered unjustly for years but later said:
“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good.” (Genesis 50:20)
Suffering can:
Refine our faith (1 Peter 1:6–7)
Produce endurance and character (Romans 5:3–4)
Bring glory to God (John 9:1–3)
Jesus, the only truly righteous man, suffered more than anyone. His suffering brought salvation to the world. 1 Peter 3:18 says:
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.”
Rather than ask why bad things happen to good people, a better question is how God can bring good out of suffering. Romans 8:28 assures us:
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
God’s justice is perfect. Every wrong will be made right. For the believer, all suffering is temporary, and eternity holds no pain. Until then, we trust His character, even when we do not understand His ways.
