Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?
In this episode, I explore one of the most profound and persistent questions in life and faith: why do bad things happen to good people? Drawing from both biblical stories and modern voices, we reflect on how suffering intersects with God’s purpose, human free will, and the journey of faith.
We look at the early church, where James was martyred while Peter was rescued—why one and not the other? This leads into broader questions about randomness, purpose, and divine will. I also share insights from the book of Job, a man who endured immense suffering yet held onto faith without answers.
We explore how suffering is not a reflection of a person’s sinfulness or godliness. Instead, it’s often part of a bigger story, sometimes used by God to refine, strengthen, or witness to others. Through figures like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Corrie ten Boom, and C.S. Lewis, we see how real-life faith endures even the most heartbreaking trials.
Faith isn’t about avoiding pain—it’s about trusting God through it. The episode touches on how pain can be a spiritual megaphone, a catalyst for transformation, and a means for deepening trust and compassion.
Top Topics:
Acts 12 and the Early Church: Reflecting on why James was killed and Peter saved—and what that means for our understanding of suffering.
Job and the Theology of Pain: Job’s suffering wasn’t punishment. His story challenges the simplistic belief that blessings and suffering are always earned.
Modern Faith and Loss: How C.S. Lewis, Bonhoeffer, and Corrie ten Boom show the real cost—and purpose—of suffering in the Christian walk.
Suffering as Transformation: Pain shapes us. It draws us closer to God, humbles us, and can become a testimony to others.
Hope and Trust in the Unknown: We may not always understand God’s plan, but we are invited to trust His heart.
Takeaways:
Suffering is not a measure of one’s righteousness or sin. Faith does not guarantee comfort, but it does promise God’s presence. In seasons of loss, we’re reminded that our trust in God is what anchors us, not answers. We’re also called to support each other in grief, just as the early church did in Acts.
In the end, suffering reveals what is real: our dependence on God, our calling to love others, and our hope in redemption beyond this life.
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