If God is good, why do so many bad things happen?

I was listening to the radio last evening and a caller asked this age old question...If God is good, why do so many bad things happen? I think that if every Christian were being honest they would certainly say that they too had that very question. They might still struggle with it actually.

Pastor, author, speaker Randy Alcorn was the guest on the radio show. He gave such a wonderful response that I think I will tuck it away and rest on it whenever sadness occurs in my life. Here's the summery...

Scripture tells us that God knows all of eternity. He knows ALL of it!! He was there in the beginning and He is there in the end. God is also completely aware of all the suffering that has occurred and will occur. Ouch. Scripture also says that our suffering causes Him such sadness. Ok...so if that is true, if you believe what scripture tell us then the next logical question is...WHY does he allow such yuck in our lives? The answer I have often gone to is "it's a fallen world". After listening to Mr. Alcorn, I now have a much better one...

The master plan, the end result of all our worldly living, as believers in Christ, is sooo amazing that God sees all the suffering on the earth as worth it. Our Creator has something in store for us that makes all the murder, rape, pain, anguish, sadness, loneliness, and terror worth it. The fact that we live in a fallen world is the reason all the suffering is taking place but God tells us to trust Him because what He has in store for His children will dwarf any worldly pain.

The real question is....Do you have the faith to believe THAT?

Well, this girl believes it with her whole heart and without it, I have nothing! Without Christ, the thought of dealing with the whoa's of this life seems unbearable. So, this day, I am once again praising God!