You’ve heard the question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” But are bad things actually happening to good people?
“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we are comforted of God.” — 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Romans 8:28: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Only one good Person ever walked the earth, and bad things happened to Him. When Jesus walked the earth, He wasn’t a sissy, or even what we consider a “manly man.” He was a Man!
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Jesus cleared the temple of the money changers. Jesus was a Man!
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Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights and was tempted by Satan, up to the finale where He told him to “get thee hence.” Jesus was a Man!
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Jesus prayed in the garden when others could not stay awake; He sweated as if it were great drops of blood because of His agony. Jesus was a Man!
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Jesus was scourged with endurance and without mercy. Most men died from such beatings. Jesus was a Man!
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Jesus was mocked, taunted, and hailed as a false king. He wore thorns—the very curse placed upon Eden. Jesus was a Man!
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Jesus was smitten with a reed and spat upon. Jesus was a Man!
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Jesus strove nearly six football field lengths to Golgotha and did not die. Jesus was a Man!
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Jesus was nailed to a cross by His hands and feet, enduring excruciating pain, suffering, breathlessness, anguish, love, forgiveness, care, and mercy. “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” He was not killed!
Human blood was not flowing in Jesus, but God’s Precious Blood was coursing through His veins. What Jesus experienced would have killed a normal man—Jesus was a Man!
“It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
“Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.”
Jesus gave His life freely and in His time. Jesus is: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”
Key Takeaways on Suffering
It is important to note the following regarding hardship:
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Jesus’ suffering caused others to turn to Him.
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His suffering glorified the Father. It should be the same with us.
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Hard times and suffering exhibit the Grace of God in our lives.
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It may purge us of sin and hush the mouth of Satan.
Muse upon these simple thoughts and do your own Bible study about the topic. The good suffer.
Scriptural Study
Philippians 4:11-13
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.“
Hebrews 12:11
“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”
1 Peter 4:16
“Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”
2 Corinthians 9:8
“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.”
Romans 5:3-4
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope.”
James 1:2-3
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”
Proverbs 12:25
“Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: But a good word maketh it glad.”
Psalm 23:4
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
2 Corinthians 12:10
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
Philippians 4:6
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”