Why does a loving God allow bad things to happen to people?
Getting Started
As social workers, we face people who are suffering and who have been the victims of the hurtful or even evil choices of others on a daily basis. If we are also people of faith, this may cause us to wrestle with God’s role and response to these events. Why does a loving God allow bad things to happen to people? These are important questions for us to answer as people helpers who believe in God. They are also important questions for many of the clients we serve.
Resources
- Bible
- Video: Ravi Zacharias – “Why doesn’t God stop rape or those who hurt the innocent?”
Background Information
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Romans 8:28
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Genesis 50:20
PRAY
Father, it is difficult to understand suffering and evil in this world, especially when I am with someone who is suffering or when I am suffering myself. Thank you for loving us enough to give us freedom, and help me to trust that You are big enough to work in people and in the world even while allowing bad things to happen. Give me the wisdom to help those I serve who are suffering that I might be a part of the healing You long to bring into their lives. Amen.
Instructions
- Watch the video “Why doesn’t God stop rape or those who hurt the innocent”
- Navigate to the threaded discussion and respond to the following discussion questions:
- What do think about the idea of love being the supreme ethic and its connection to human freedom as described in the video? Briefly summarize what this means and explain your thoughts on this idea. Do you think this is a helpful idea for people of faith in understanding how God works in the world? Explain why or why not?
- In the video, Dr. Ravi Zacharias discusses the idea that God is in charge of the bigger plan of how things ultimately work out, above and beyond the choices that people make or the situations that happen to them. Give an example of a situation from your own life or someone you know where a situation or event that was seen as bad ultimately worked out for good. How can this idea be helpful in your work with people?
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