People ask the same old question about why are bad things allowed to happen? The answer is simple because for a period of time Lucifer is ruling the world. I think people are under the assumption based on what they see on TV from the televangelists that once they have a good relationship with God or Christ that there will be no more problems. That everything in the world will be just right. However, the Bible does not say that and in fact says almost the opposite.
I have heard people curse at the Lord for the bad things that have happened to them based on their actions or they want to blame the Lord for their poor decisions as though they are supposed to be a robot and follow instructions or they want to blame the Lord for all the terrible things that happen all over the world. It as though they forgot who is temporarily in charge of the Earth. Yes God has all authority, but for a time he has given Satan control over everything on this planet. So wake up from your slumber and recognize who is currently pulling the strings.
First the Devil will try to persuade you to blame God for everything bad that has happened to you. Remember, he is the “Father of Lies”. So when those thoughts pop into your head, take them captive before you say or do something that you will later regret. Satan will tempt you at every possible opportunity, so remember to resist him and he will flee.
2 Corinthians 10:1-6 New International Version (NIV)
Paul’s Defense of His Ministry
10 By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! 2 I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
Second is that the Christ even said that those who believe in him will have a harder time on earth:
Matthew 10:16-23 New International Version (NIV)
16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Third, the Lord will allow a person to go through trials.
James 1:2-8 New International Version (NIV)
Trials and Temptations
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
You may be asking yourself why does the Lord allow us to go through Trials? When you are faced with a trial, where do you turn? If you turn towards God, then great as long as you are not blaming him, but if you turn to everything else, then where was your faith. God wants you to turn to Him when you are put through trials and to put your faith in Him. He will not give you more than you can handle.
Fourth, People make rash decisions without seeking the Lord first and then expect him to pick up the pieces. Seek the Lord first and ask for his guidance before you decide to make any important decisions.
Matthew 6:25-34 New International Version (NIV)
Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
So the next time you are faced with something you consider bad or a trial or even after you have made a poor decision, ask yourself this:
God will you please help me? Do not just say the words, but believe with every ounce of your being. In other words pray to God. Just be prepared that the answer from your prayer may be No or Not Right Now, but it could be Yes. If the answer is No or Not Right Now, then there has to be a reason and only you and God will know.