Why do bad things happen to good people?

ketziah35
ketziah35 Member Posts: 1,145

I find my faith in God fading.  People who are doing what they are supposed to do (being productive on life) are in so much pain. I  am angry at God for failing them and my family.

 

«1

Comments

  • fatbob2010
    fatbob2010 Member Posts: 467 Member
    Hard

    Ketziah,

    Hard question but a necessary one for many of us to work through.  Probably best handled by PM.

    Art

  • Dyanclark
    Dyanclark Member Posts: 296
    Life

    it is so hard, the world is full of suffering.  I believe with my whole heart God will bring an end to all the sickness & suffering.  We just don't know when it will happen, pray for the strength to get thru the bad times.  My husband is stage 4 cancer and now on Chemo  for the rest of his life. I don't know what will get him the cancer or  chemo.  Chemo is keeping him stable for now.

    I think we just have to take it one day at a time.  Not everyone will win the battle, and we need a lot of strength to hang in.  

    Hugs, George & Diane

     

  • jen2012
    jen2012 Member Posts: 1,607 Member
    I've often asked that same

    I've often asked that same question.  Seems like some people and have so much suffering and other breeze through life without a worry.  And often it seems like the ones without worry are not necessarily the better person.  Seems unfair, but then as we all here no, life is not fair and to drive yourself crazy with the whys doesn't help or make you feel better.  

    I think man has done a good job of making life difficult.  We've ruined our food supply, our waters, our air.  Money is most important so it's hard to believe our diseases will ever have cures.  Too bad we put so much time money and energy into figuring out how to have a better faster phone, than how to solve world problems.

     

    I do understand why you are questioning your faith, bit if you are a faithful person it may be better for you to accept that humans have made their own problems and rely on your faith to help you deal with things.  I know it's not easy, I get angry that my husband is not 50 and he can't do what some 80 yr olds do....until I hear of a 3 yr old dying and then I realize that while it sucks, we have been fortunate in many ways.

    Hang in there.

     

     

  • Lisa2012
    Lisa2012 Member Posts: 142
    God doesn't fail

    Ketziah,

    I understand your weariness, and I am sorry that it is allowing doubt to creep in on you.  Please remember that if God brings you to it, he will bring you through it.  Now is the time to pray harder, God will not abandon you.  Hang in there.

    praying for you,

    Lisa

  • danker
    danker Member Posts: 1,276 Member
    Dyanclark said:

    Life

    it is so hard, the world is full of suffering.  I believe with my whole heart God will bring an end to all the sickness & suffering.  We just don't know when it will happen, pray for the strength to get thru the bad times.  My husband is stage 4 cancer and now on Chemo  for the rest of his life. I don't know what will get him the cancer or  chemo.  Chemo is keeping him stable for now.

    I think we just have to take it one day at a time.  Not everyone will win the battle, and we need a lot of strength to hang in.  

    Hugs, George & Diane

     

    life

    One day at a time is truely the answer.  Even the Lords prayer only asks for todays bread!!

  • lp1964
    lp1964 Member Posts: 1,239 Member
    Whether you believe...

    ...in God or not or even question his existence, God is not who makes you sick or heals you. If it was so this whole world would make more sense. But everywhere you look tere is random good and random bad. Life doesn't seem to be fair or rational at all. 

    I don't care if there is a God or not. I don't care if he is the one who is doing this or not. I don't even know if God is a he or a she. The only thing I know that my life, Life and the world is better with the God in our thoughts. I don't chase God in Churches and I don't worship God with psalms and I don't bother him with prayers. I just let him come and visit me whenever he wants to. My life is better with God in it. It connect me with everything. When I look at the world I see God's face. I want God in my life, especially during the hardest times and I hope he or she will visit my Consciousness as of often as s(h)e can.

    Laz 

  • ketziah35
    ketziah35 Member Posts: 1,145
    Lisa2012 said:

    God doesn't fail

    Ketziah,

    I understand your weariness, and I am sorry that it is allowing doubt to creep in on you.  Please remember that if God brings you to it, he will bring you through it.  Now is the time to pray harder, God will not abandon you.  Hang in there.

    praying for you,

    Lisa

    I do

    I do feel like God has abandoned me and my family.

  • thingy45
    thingy45 Member Posts: 632 Member
    lp1964 said:

    Whether you believe...

    ...in God or not or even question his existence, God is not who makes you sick or heals you. If it was so this whole world would make more sense. But everywhere you look tere is random good and random bad. Life doesn't seem to be fair or rational at all. 

    I don't care if there is a God or not. I don't care if he is the one who is doing this or not. I don't even know if God is a he or a she. The only thing I know that my life, Life and the world is better with the God in our thoughts. I don't chase God in Churches and I don't worship God with psalms and I don't bother him with prayers. I just let him come and visit me whenever he wants to. My life is better with God in it. It connect me with everything. When I look at the world I see God's face. I want God in my life, especially during the hardest times and I hope he or she will visit my Consciousness as of often as s(h)e can.

    Laz 

    I understand

    I understand that in the hard times you question  your faith. But that is what it is all about... Faith....

    God does not make you sick ... we can pray and ask for healing as we also pray and ask for our daily bread. I personally find peace and hope in my faith daily. I always preach take life one day at a time, some days are good some are bad. That is what life is all about.

    I wish for you peace, hope and happiness, I also wish for a magic wand to cure all the ilnesses in the world.

    With hugs, Marjan

     

  • ron50
    ron50 Member Posts: 1,723 Member
    G'day Ketz

      I believe in simplicity. I keep catching and eating fish, god keeps trying to stop me. So far it is a tie.  Do I have faith ? Yes I have faith in my own ability to take whatever life dishes out and come out the other side with some remaining dignity. Life is what it is , there is no one to blame, life just happens. I am sorry that you are sad but we all get sad . It is about going to bed sad and getting up the next day a little less sad until one day you wake up and find that the sadness is gone and life is ok. That is what I choose to believe. It is not the perfect recipe for living but it certainly has gotten me through some crappy times. Hugs Ron.

  • ketziah35
    ketziah35 Member Posts: 1,145
    ron50 said:

    G'day Ketz

      I believe in simplicity. I keep catching and eating fish, god keeps trying to stop me. So far it is a tie.  Do I have faith ? Yes I have faith in my own ability to take whatever life dishes out and come out the other side with some remaining dignity. Life is what it is , there is no one to blame, life just happens. I am sorry that you are sad but we all get sad . It is about going to bed sad and getting up the next day a little less sad until one day you wake up and find that the sadness is gone and life is ok. That is what I choose to believe. It is not the perfect recipe for living but it certainly has gotten me through some crappy times. Hugs Ron.

    Thanks Ron!

    Thanks Ron!

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    I don't think I'm perhaps the best to respond to this,

    as my spiritual beliefs, such as they are, don't revolve around the idea of a deity that intervenes in people's lives.  If I had to wrap my brain around the concept of someone who is "in charge", yet allows the world to go the way it does, I think I would go crazy!

    My personal philosophy is just that the we live in the natural world, and all that happens around us is part of the natural world as well.

    Sometimes the things that happen are terrible, and sometimes they are amazing and awe-inspiring...and sometimes both at once.

    I try to live in the moment as best I can, and appreciate those moments that are good, and endure those that are bad, in the hope that better times will be coming.

    I do hope that those better times are coming your way, Ketz, and this is "faith" of a sort, I suppose...you can use your faith to give you the strength you need to move forward, and seek out those better days that lie ahead.

    Big hugs to you, girl.

  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    I understand that question

    As our families suffer I think it is so natural to ask all sorts of questions and also to be angry and sad.  A book that I found helpful is "When Bad Things Happen to Good People" which is very similar to your subject heading.  It may help you if your interested.  Sending love.

    Aloha,

    Kathleen

  • Phil64
    Phil64 Member Posts: 838 Member
    I believe in the sun

    even when it isn't shining...

    Just because the clouds obstruct the sun on some days doesn't mean the sun isn't there, keeping us alive.  Without the sun we would surely parish.

    This past week-end a co-worker of mine was told her step-son has a brain tumor.

    I certainly don't understand the suffering that we go through. And the eventual death that every person must endure. But I do believe that God is there with us through every valey we must cross. 

    And I know, for me, my suffering has been a catalyst to learning and maturing.  I see things substantially different than I did before cancer.  And my family and close friends would surely tell you it is for the better.  I believe I am a lot more sympathetic and caring than I was before cancer.  I value all the people in my life more than I did a short two years ago. And I am a lot more mindful of my own mortality and view everyday as a gift and opportunity to do some good in this world.

    And yes, I even thank God, for allowing me this growing opportunity. 

    Again, I don't understand the suffering. Why does a 12 year old have to face brain cancer?  Why are there 5 year olds dying of cancer? Whey are there sensless shootings and violence resulting in so much lost life and sadness?

    I don't know the answer to these Why questions.

    But I also believe our ability to see how all the pieces fit together into a master plan is very limited. 

    We are living in a finite world. Our perspective is very incomplete.

    God is living in an infinite world. His perspective is far greater than we can ever imagine.

    So, in the end, I TRUST

    That there is a God.

    That God answes every prayer (sometimes with "no")

    That God knows what is best for us better than we know ourselves.

    That God's plan will prevail in the end.

    Time is a gift. That we can't pay back.  How do we put a price on the time we are given on this earth?  So I try to remember that it is a gift. And I try to graciously accept this gift, one day at a time, and to use it wisely.  And I try to focus on important things where my existance can matter.

    Like LOVING those people in my life. I'm not nearly as good at Loving as I aspire to be. But I'm a lot better at loving than not so long ago.

    Bless you my friends!

    May you have a glorious day today; surounded  by Love.

    Sincerely,

    Philip

  • johnnybegood
    johnnybegood Member Posts: 1,117 Member
    Phil64 said:

    I believe in the sun

    even when it isn't shining...

    Just because the clouds obstruct the sun on some days doesn't mean the sun isn't there, keeping us alive.  Without the sun we would surely parish.

    This past week-end a co-worker of mine was told her step-son has a brain tumor.

    I certainly don't understand the suffering that we go through. And the eventual death that every person must endure. But I do believe that God is there with us through every valey we must cross. 

    And I know, for me, my suffering has been a catalyst to learning and maturing.  I see things substantially different than I did before cancer.  And my family and close friends would surely tell you it is for the better.  I believe I am a lot more sympathetic and caring than I was before cancer.  I value all the people in my life more than I did a short two years ago. And I am a lot more mindful of my own mortality and view everyday as a gift and opportunity to do some good in this world.

    And yes, I even thank God, for allowing me this growing opportunity. 

    Again, I don't understand the suffering. Why does a 12 year old have to face brain cancer?  Why are there 5 year olds dying of cancer? Whey are there sensless shootings and violence resulting in so much lost life and sadness?

    I don't know the answer to these Why questions.

    But I also believe our ability to see how all the pieces fit together into a master plan is very limited. 

    We are living in a finite world. Our perspective is very incomplete.

    God is living in an infinite world. His perspective is far greater than we can ever imagine.

    So, in the end, I TRUST

    That there is a God.

    That God answes every prayer (sometimes with "no")

    That God knows what is best for us better than we know ourselves.

    That God's plan will prevail in the end.

    Time is a gift. That we can't pay back.  How do we put a price on the time we are given on this earth?  So I try to remember that it is a gift. And I try to graciously accept this gift, one day at a time, and to use it wisely.  And I try to focus on important things where my existance can matter.

    Like LOVING those people in my life. I'm not nearly as good at Loving as I aspire to be. But I'm a lot better at loving than not so long ago.

    Bless you my friends!

    May you have a glorious day today; surounded  by Love.

    Sincerely,

    Philip

    thanks philip

    you took the words out of my mouth and thanks for being here for all the people who need you,hope you are doing well these days...Godbless...johnnybegood

  • Lisa2012
    Lisa2012 Member Posts: 142
    Phil64 said:

    I believe in the sun

    even when it isn't shining...

    Just because the clouds obstruct the sun on some days doesn't mean the sun isn't there, keeping us alive.  Without the sun we would surely parish.

    This past week-end a co-worker of mine was told her step-son has a brain tumor.

    I certainly don't understand the suffering that we go through. And the eventual death that every person must endure. But I do believe that God is there with us through every valey we must cross. 

    And I know, for me, my suffering has been a catalyst to learning and maturing.  I see things substantially different than I did before cancer.  And my family and close friends would surely tell you it is for the better.  I believe I am a lot more sympathetic and caring than I was before cancer.  I value all the people in my life more than I did a short two years ago. And I am a lot more mindful of my own mortality and view everyday as a gift and opportunity to do some good in this world.

    And yes, I even thank God, for allowing me this growing opportunity. 

    Again, I don't understand the suffering. Why does a 12 year old have to face brain cancer?  Why are there 5 year olds dying of cancer? Whey are there sensless shootings and violence resulting in so much lost life and sadness?

    I don't know the answer to these Why questions.

    But I also believe our ability to see how all the pieces fit together into a master plan is very limited. 

    We are living in a finite world. Our perspective is very incomplete.

    God is living in an infinite world. His perspective is far greater than we can ever imagine.

    So, in the end, I TRUST

    That there is a God.

    That God answes every prayer (sometimes with "no")

    That God knows what is best for us better than we know ourselves.

    That God's plan will prevail in the end.

    Time is a gift. That we can't pay back.  How do we put a price on the time we are given on this earth?  So I try to remember that it is a gift. And I try to graciously accept this gift, one day at a time, and to use it wisely.  And I try to focus on important things where my existance can matter.

    Like LOVING those people in my life. I'm not nearly as good at Loving as I aspire to be. But I'm a lot better at loving than not so long ago.

    Bless you my friends!

    May you have a glorious day today; surounded  by Love.

    Sincerely,

    Philip

    Thanks Phil

    I don't know if you were a writer two years ago, but I love your writing.  The first time I ever read your blog I learned that you can't live on borrowed time...you can't borrow time because it is a gift.  Thanks for reminding us all of this gift.

    Lisa

  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    I make no secret about my

    I make no secret about my faith on here but do not believe in pushing my faith in Jesus on others unless asked and then I will talk about it. This disease has actually made my faith in Him stronger even though I can't explain why life is so unfair. I think that most of us can agree that cancer has made us better people in some ways and certainly stronger mentally and emotionally. I also believe cancer has led many of us me included to become more compassionate towards others and more giving of our emotions and time to help each other. These changes are positive changes in the eyes of the Lord and should be viewed as positive changes in anyones eyes regardless of thier faith or lack there of.

    I also think it is ok to be angry at God. There are examples of that all through the Bible. We just can't turn our back on Him.

  • danker
    danker Member Posts: 1,276 Member
    thingy45 said:

    I understand

    I understand that in the hard times you question  your faith. But that is what it is all about... Faith....

    God does not make you sick ... we can pray and ask for healing as we also pray and ask for our daily bread. I personally find peace and hope in my faith daily. I always preach take life one day at a time, some days are good some are bad. That is what life is all about.

    I wish for you peace, hope and happiness, I also wish for a magic wand to cure all the ilnesses in the world.

    With hugs, Marjan

     

    day

    I used to tell my children "Do not knock the bad days, without them we would't recognise the good ones."  It applies to us all !!!

  • carrieh
    carrieh Member Posts: 146 Member

    I make no secret about my

    I make no secret about my faith on here but do not believe in pushing my faith in Jesus on others unless asked and then I will talk about it. This disease has actually made my faith in Him stronger even though I can't explain why life is so unfair. I think that most of us can agree that cancer has made us better people in some ways and certainly stronger mentally and emotionally. I also believe cancer has led many of us me included to become more compassionate towards others and more giving of our emotions and time to help each other. These changes are positive changes in the eyes of the Lord and should be viewed as positive changes in anyones eyes regardless of thier faith or lack there of.

    I also think it is ok to be angry at God. There are examples of that all through the Bible. We just can't turn our back on Him.

    I don't believe that God or

    I don't believe that God or the universe causes things like cancer. It's my humble opinion that things like disease and starvatiion etc... are of this world, man made if you will from chemicals or greed etc... Even people who are genetically predisposed to get cancer don't all get it. I think something has to set it off like pesticide, unclean water, stress...but what do I know? It isn't fair...but every single human being will have to deal with sickness at some point in their lives, some of us younger than others. I hope that you find some peace eventually. I try to think of cancer as something chronic for me...like arthritis or heart disease...when it comes back, I deal with it and then go on about living...For me, I can't think of myself as dying of cancer...just living with it, if that makes sense? don't let it take your happiness or joy or hope.

  • Lisa2012
    Lisa2012 Member Posts: 142
    carrieh said:

    I don't believe that God or

    I don't believe that God or the universe causes things like cancer. It's my humble opinion that things like disease and starvatiion etc... are of this world, man made if you will from chemicals or greed etc... Even people who are genetically predisposed to get cancer don't all get it. I think something has to set it off like pesticide, unclean water, stress...but what do I know? It isn't fair...but every single human being will have to deal with sickness at some point in their lives, some of us younger than others. I hope that you find some peace eventually. I try to think of cancer as something chronic for me...like arthritis or heart disease...when it comes back, I deal with it and then go on about living...For me, I can't think of myself as dying of cancer...just living with it, if that makes sense? don't let it take your happiness or joy or hope.

    Makes perfect sense

    Carrie I agree with you...I live with cancer too

  • Helen321
    Helen321 Member Posts: 1,459 Member
    I think bad things happen to

    I think bad things happen to all people, just different types of bad things. Sometimes I say why am I the one who got cancer but I don't think there's any rhyme or reason. It just makes you realize that you can't control life as much as you think and that you have to live each day with purpose even if that purpose is rest and relaxation or dealing with a bad day.  The good thing about bad days is when they're over, you appreciate the good ones even more.