WHY DO REALLY BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO REALLY NICE PEOPLE?

This question was asked at our last Baskets of Life meeting, and I have to admit that I myself have asked this same question. I think we all do at some point in our lives, especially when we see the dearest people suffering for no fault of their own. After much prayer and researching the Word, this is what I have concluded:

It's because Adam and Eve turned control of the earth over to Satan, so he now rules at this time. The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:8 "your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." He also has legions of demons who help create chaos in we human's lives. It's easy

for him to harm unbelievers or those weak in in their faith, so it's a small victory. But, for satan to harm a strong Christian would be a big victory...the thing he doesn't realize is that we are spiritual beings, and the torture that a Christian would experience on earth is only for a short time, compared to the lifetime we will live in the perfection of heaven. 1 Peter 5:9 -10 Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. The Lord of Grace, who called you to His eternal glory through Christ Jesus will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little . God may not always prevent us from suffering, but he does help us endure it here on earth.

Satan wants to torture Christians so they will reject God. In satan's mind, he will have won, and God will have lost. That is what happened with Job, the greatest man among all the people of the East. First, all his livestock were killed, but he didn't curse God.  Then all his servants were killed, but he didn't reject God. Next all his children were killed, but Job didn't reject God. Finally, Job himself became sick, but he still didn't reject God. Satan was defeated and God gave Job back all that he'd lost plus more. Job suffered because Satan and God were in a battle. Satan wanted to destroy Job and his faith in God. Job hung in there and would not be defeated. He was faithful and God rewarded him. God will bring good out of evil because He is Goodness, which always defeats evil. 

Sometimes it seems as though satan may win a battle, but God always wins the war. Psalms 34:19 states "Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivers him out of them all."  Whether it is in this life, or in heaven. Sometimes God allows us to suffer, but it's because he has something even better for us than we cannot even imagine. 

The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:13) teaches us to pray to God "lead us not into temptation, but to deliver us from evil." At the beginning of each new day, pray that God will put a hedge of protection around you, and the angles will keep you from stumbling. (Psalm 91:11-12) He will "guard you in all your ways." Jesus gave us authority to speak directly to satan and to rebuke him from succeeding with his plan to harm us.  If you feel under attack, speak directly to satan and say, "Satan, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus to leave me alone!" Speak forcefully and with the authority that Jesus Himself gave you, believing in your heart that it is true. Remember ALL things are possible with God. (Mark 10:27)

My hope is that this information will empower you to withstand the wiles of the devil, so you will be victorious through Jesus!

Christine and Jeff