By Joseph Perry

All over the world, there are people asking that same question. They are asking, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”

People don’t understand why they are facing so much hardship. Have you ever asked the question about something that has gone on in your life, and you really didn’t understand why it happened?

A mother in the midst of a flood drops her child to later find him drowned. A tree falls on the mother and child, crushing them both to death. A father loses his job after helping so many others keep theirs. A pastor comes to me in tears because the church says they just don’t want to be organized anymore. They mumble and grumble about everything that he does. A young man, very prominent in society, gets shot by a police officer by mistake.

Why do bad things happen to good people? When you give your tithes and offerings to the Lord, and then you still come up short on paying your bills, you still get a sickness, and it seems like you can’t get well. You show up to Sunday School and Bible study even when you don’t feel like it, and you don’t really have the time. When you’ve dotted all your I’s and crossed all your T’s, and stuff still goes wrong. When you treat people right and you know you’re doing the best you can, and then somebody turns around and puts out something that’s not true, and now you’re the worst person in the world.

Why do bad things happen to good people?

God allows what He allows for reasons and purposes we sometimes just don’t understand.

In the Old Testament, a man by the name of Job wanted to know. He tried his best to do everything right in the sight of God. He went to church, and he gave to God. He was a man who took care of his family and highly supported his community. He had a hand in the lives of people who were touched. However, we see him losing everything he had.

He represents all of us who demanded an answer to this question. When bad things happen to you, just continue to trust the Lord every step of the way. You must continue to know that all things work together for your good. You may never understand, but I want you to keep looking to the hills from which cometh your help, for all of your help comes from the Lord. One day, He will answer every question that we have had. One day, it will be all over, for we will then forever be with the Lord.

The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Perry is pastor of St. Mark AME Zion Church. Contact him at josephp134@gmail.com.