A big question that non-Christians and Christians alike ask is, “If God cares so much about our well-being, why does He let or make bad things happen to us?” That is a great question.

I have a little (it’s actually kinda long, sorry) explanation/picture/example to give you. So when I was like, between 5-9 years old, (I seriously can’t remember how old I was…), I did soccer. Like literally every other little kid, right? Well, almost every time I wanted to do soccer, I needed to get a vaccination, like a flu shot, (now it’s COVID boosters) and/or whatever fancy names they have for these shots. Well, as a kid, I hated it. But I wanted to do soccer, right? So I got the shot. It takes like, 5 seconds at the most to get it, and about only 2 seconds of pain. Definitely worth it for a few weeks of soccer.

Anyway. This is kind of similar to why bad things happen to us. God (who is kinda represented as a doctor here) sends hard things (aka shots) our way to make us stronger. And then, like the vaccination, the bad things make us stronger and are a way to grow our faith. The soccer/summer camp/school (or whatever you do that needs vaccinations) are our reward. In the same way, heaven is our reward for staying close and trusting God through the pain. In heaven, you can look back and think, “Yeah, those few bad things were definitely worth it to be in heaven for eternity.”

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NIV.) This verse says that everything works out for good. Later in Romans 8, Paul writes, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39 NIV.)

Jeremiah 29:11 (probably one of the best Bible verses ever, by the way) says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV.) This verse is so hopeful, and even though it feels like God is harming us, he is actually strengthening us. Our future is even brighter than we could ever imagine, living in heaven with God and Jesus Christ.

~Willow