A question I have heard over the course of my relatively short life is if there is a God, why would He allow such terrible things to happen? So many people do not have faith because of this question. Most don’t want to hear the answer. Some genuinely just don’t know. I know I have asked this same question somewhere down the line and had to do some soul-searching and praying to come up with an answer. I’ve also had the same question asked to me and unfortunately at that moment did not have any kind of answer.

My father-in-law is a firefighter. He has witnessed his fair share of ‘unfair’ tragedies. Children are taken away from their parents and parents taken away from children. I can see where the skepticism would come into play. That skepticism is evil and is a seed that is planted there by something ungodly. And unless we have those difficult conversations no one’s point of view will change.

Why do these tragedies happen? Why is there war? Why doesn’t He just take it all away?

Simple answers are sin and free will. Bad things happen to build us up in personality, humility, and faith building. Jesus had to go through unbearable pain for the greatest, most unselfish gift. What is our pain compared to that of a crucifixion that you know is coming and have done nothing to deserve.

Free will is defined as the power of acting without the constraint of necessity or fate; the ability to act at one’s own discretion. I believe He is our father and we are His children. Would our love mean the same if it was forced upon us rather than us choosing to love and obey our Father of our own free will?

Joshua 24:15 states “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

James 1:13-16 states “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.”

Beauty will be born from ashes. The story of Job is the perfect example. It doesn’t matter how much of a blameless and upright believer you are the devil seeks to kill, steal, and destroy. Of course, the devil is going to focus on those who have the most to lose. God has control, just like he prevented the devil from taking Job’s life, he can prevent bad and good things from happening to us. We have to trust in God’s end game when bad things happen and praise Him no matter the circumstance. God’s endgame comes with the ultimate blessing. The trials and tribulations in life mold us into who He needs us to be to do His work in the world.