She turned towards me and I could see the questioning in her dark eyes. “Why does God make bad things happen?” Her question broke my heart, but I understood where she was coming from. How many times have I asked that same question? How many times have I asked myself just in the past week why?  Why me? Why her?  Why him? Why God? Because this doesn’t seem quite fair.

When she arrived at school that day, six kids were absent from her class. Before noon, seven more were sent home for possible COVID exposure. Of the seven kids left in the class, my girl was the only girl left. For the remainder of this week, it will be her and a bunch of boys. She is not thrilled at the prospect.

But, getting back to her question. Why does God make bad things happen? I was honest and told her I don’t always understand, but there are a couple of things I am certain of. First, God is good and He is faithful – always. Scripture tells us:

“For the LORD is good; His mercy and lovingkindness are everlasting, His faithfulness [endures] to all generations.” 

Psalm 100:5 (AMP)

LORD in all caps is translated as Yahweh or Jehovah in Hebrew. It is God’s proper name. It’s who He is. It means He is holy, the giver of life, righteous, and just. God is always good and He is always faithful because that’s who He is. 

Secondly, God is always working for the good of those who love Him. Romans tells us:

“And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.”

 Romans 8:28 (AMP)

We may not see His hand moving physically, but the evidence is all around us. We have to open our eyes and see it though. God is always working for what is good and what is best.

Thirdly, what I deem is good and best is not what God always deems as good and best.

“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.’” 

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NASB) 

God has the ability to see the bigger picture. I do not. I’m very much like my kids in some ways. I have moments when I believe eating a peanut butter cup is the absolute best thing for me. But, when I look at the bigger picture, what happens when I eat peanut butter cups every single time I think it’s the best thing for me? It’s not going to be healthy for me in the long run. God’s perspective is so much clearer than my own. I need to remember that. 

Lastly, God does allow for us to walk through difficult seasons, but He promises He will never leave us. Romans says:

“. . . Do not fear, for I have redeemed you [from captivity]; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior . . . you are precious in My sight, you are honored and I love you.”

Isaiah 43:1-4 (AMP)

We will walk through difficult seasons. But, we take comfort in the fact that God will always be there walking alongside us. Something else to remember is that it’s often in our darkest seasons that we grow the most. I’ve learned so much through the dark seasons I’ve walked through.  Were they comfortable? Absolutely not. But, if they were comfortable would I have leaned into God so heavily?

Everything that happens in this life can draw us closer to God or pull us away from Him. When you find yourself on a path that is hard, ask yourself several things.

1. Am I going to invite God to walk alongside me during this season or try to do it on my own?
2. What good can I see in front of me?
3. What might God have for me to learn through this?

There is always a purpose in everything God does. Always

I shared these thoughts with my daughter, and do you want to know what she said? She said, “God probably picked me to be the only girl left in the class this week because He knows I can handle it. I mean, I live with mostly boys.” What a great perspective and a lesson for us all!When things aren’t going as planned or this season feels really hard, look for the good and try to see things through God’s perspective. Reflect on what you are learning. Reflect on how God’s growing you.

“Sometimes you have to let go of the picture of what you thought it would be like and learn to find joy in the story you are actually living.” – Rachel Marie Martin