Friday, August 12, 2016

Why do "Good People" suffer while "Bad People" prosper?


I struggled with this month's post at Internet Café Devotions. I've been challenged recently with questions from people trying to make sense of how our God, who is defined by Love, would justify allowing "good" people to suffer...and why He would seem to bless "bad" people. It's hard for us to wrap our brains around.
So many things come to mind when I think about the apparent "unfairness" of God, namely the whole concept of Jesus and His Crucifixion and Resurrection, which we base our entire faith on. I cannot understand why God would sacrifice Jesus for those horrible people who screamed for His death, who mocked Him and spat on Him and beat Him and killed Him, but I am so thankful that He did...because in doing so, He also provided Salvation for me.
Even so, it seems somewhat "off" to say that God would intentionally allow His people to suffer...but again, so many things come to mind...Paul's life, The Disciples' lives, Job, and verses like "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8) and "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8).
So, here are my thoughts, encouraged by my sweet friend Shellie, on

Why do “good” people suffer while “bad” people prosper?

pexels-photo-119568
 
Recently, a co-worker gave me a wonderful perspective on this dilemma.
Maybe the seemingly unfairness of “bad people” appearing to be blessed while “good people” suffer is evidence of God’s love for those who do not know Him.
MAYBE He is allowing unsaved people to be blessed now because HE truly understands how terrible hell is and knows that their eternal fate will be horrendous.
MAYBE  He knows that the only joy they will have will be in this life and so He, in His abounding love, allows them joy and success here on earth.


Continue reading at Internet Café here