Why do bad things happen?

1. Suffering can be the result of someone else’s sin (Gen. 4:1-15).
2. Suffering can be the result of Satan’s cruelty (Job 1:8-22).
3. Suffering can be the result of God’s judgment (Hab. 1:12b).
4. Suffering can be the result of God’s plan (Gen. 37:18-28; 50:19-20).

Why does God allow bad things to happen?

1. Suffering shows us the horrible results of rejecting God’s ways (Gen. 4:13).
2. Suffering causes us to trust him (Job 13:15).
3. Suffering can turn our hearts back to him (Hab. 3:17-19).
4. Suffering can lead to a better future (Gen. 50:20-21).