Bad things...

Why do bad things happen to good people?  Because we live in a fallen world, a very not-perfect world. We live on a planet that has fatal and chronic illness, poverty, hatred, accidents, school shooting, terrorism, and the list goes on.  But even in this fallen world, there is good news.  The Good News is that God came to earth as a man, Jesus.  He experienced pain and suffering as a result of just simply living on a sinful planet (he never sinned, he just lived where it existed).  Jesus lived, died, and rose again, leaving His spirit here with us.  And He promises that even though we have to live in this fallen world, He'll be right here beside us.  Can we pray for protection?  Healing?  Needs?  We sure can!  And many times He provides with great grace.  Sometimes our prayers don't get answered but it's because in our humanness we can't see the "whole picture" of what He has planned.  

Another bit of good news is that we don't have to struggle through life in this fallen world all by ourselves.  Those who call upon His name and belong to Him are believers, and believers stick together.  We encourage each other, pray for each other, and laugh (or cry) together, just to name a few.  

Somehow in this world that is a host for all those bad things, there is also a myriad of good things.  Friendship, love, generosity, hope, laughter, new babies, music, and the list goes on.

Bad things are going to happen to good people, they just will.  But knowing the one who can calm the storm, even when it's the storm of anger, grief, or even fear that may rage on the inside will hopefully make getting through those bad things a little easier.  

You may have different thoughts, but I will just say that there have been so many times in my life that if it wouldn't have been for Jesus, I'm not sure I would have made it through.

To quote Annelle from "Steel Magnolias":   "It may sound real simple and stupid ...Well maybe I am, but, that's how I get through things like this."