Why do bad things happen to good people?

Every day we're reading or listening to part of the Bible together and sharing thoughts with you. Today it’s Bern Leckie:

What did I like about today’s passage?

When bad things happen, and we don’t know why, how do we make sense of it? What do we think, say and do? Are there any easy answers to questions of unfair suffering when we believe in a just and loving God?

This seems like a great book to dig into right now. But it needs to come with a health warning which will need repeating throughout. Job is hard to tackle in short daily chunks because it’s filled with things which look like wisdom but are not wise. I’ve come to think of it like a Facebook comments conversation.

Stuff happens. People misunderstand but comment on the stuff like they are experts. Gradually the conversation becomes less about the stuff and more about how everyone is feeling for being misunderstood. In the end, how are the friends still friends, and what is really happening? This is hard to understand from just reading bits of the comments, which is what we’ll be doing most days. It will be frustrating. I believe the author intended that.

The best way to take in this story is, some say, all at once. I listened to the whole thing – it took just under two hours, an age in “bible study” terms, but pretty short for a box set binge. I recommend diving in and letting the big shape of what God is doing speak to you. We’ve published every part of these notes already on the website to help you zip through.

What I love about how this story starts is Job’s good heart, faith and purity, even in the worst of circumstances. He isn't judging his own success by stuff done, things owned or even people he is in relationship with. As he declares that "naked I came from my mother's womb" he recognises God's provision and ownership of everything.

And yet, he is human. His suffering is painful, and he can honestly express it in terms of darkness and despair – maybe we can relate, or know others entering darkness right now.

What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

God knows us inside out. He knows what is going on with us even when we are overwhelmed with questions about suffering. Why doesn’t God prevent suffering, though? Is it some kind of test? We don’t yet know – and if we think we have the answers, beware.

What am I going to do differently as a result?

I love Job's attitude of honouring God in the good times, which seems to have built his discipline to keep glorifying and praising God in the bad times. I want to build that discipline.

Who am I going to share this with?

I’m fortunate to have groups of people I catch up with even when physically isolated. We have difficult times to talk about. But I’ll encourage us to keep praising and praying to God.