It’s an age-old question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” You may have even felt that bad people seem to get by with less trouble than good people. You tell the truth, you are honest, and you try to treat others as you would want to be treated, and you have your share of trouble, but you know people who lie, cheat, and use others to their own advantage, and they seem to have a care-free life.

First of all, they don’t have a care-free life. They may give that illusion on the surface, but there is much that you do not see. You do not see the emptiness of their soul, when they turn the lights off at night; you do not see their ultimate end, when they have breathed their last breath; and, you do not see the long term damage that is being done to those over whom they have influence. The Bible says, “The way of the transgressor is hard.”

You may think that a good person ought to have it easier in life. Actually, a good person does have it easier, but you’ve got to realize that “good” is a relative term, and not absolute. Jesus said, “There is none good but God.” In all honesty, any one of us can look down in the private thoughts and intents of our hearts and find plenty of badness.

One of the confusions, is that many people consider themselves to be good, based on their own standard, instead of God’s standard. They think because they have been good to little puppies and kittens, it is well with their souls. They think because they put $5 in the Salvation Army’s collection last Christmas, God owes them one.

A person who loves God and seeks to follow His teachings is in a position to receive the blessings of God in ways that other people are not. If that describes you, you are given the promises of God, and God’s promises never fail.

Then, why do bad things come your way? One thing, is that God is using every event of your life in such a way that it gives Him glory and works for your overall good. It is in the worst of difficulties, that people often have their most effective witness for Christ. There is, however, the possibility that you are suffering things you don’t have to suffer. You should always take a look in the mirror of your soul and determine whether or not you are really walking by faith.

God does not bless disobedience, even in your life, and there is a law of sowing and reaping. One who doesn’t obey God in money matters cannot expect to be blessed financially. One who doesn’t obey God in proper care of his physical body cannot expect to be blessed with good health. One who doesn’t obey God in relating to his spouse cannot expect his marriage to be blessed. One who doesn’t obey God in matters of child-rearing cannot expect God’s blessings on his family.

I cannot help but wonder, when people say, “I wonder what I did to deserve this?”, if God is not saying, “Where do you want Me to start?”