Why do bad things happen to Christians?

I have a deep and abiding hatred for anything that smacks of “prosperity gospel.”  We need to snap out of the idea that Christians are entitled to a particular lifestyle here on earth.  It’s a lie.  The verses used to “prove” our entitlement are every bit as applicable to Christians in Darfur as they are to Christians in Dallas, but there’s never a good explanation of why Darfur isn’t prospering.  But we all wonder at some point why bad things happen, and there’s nothing wrong with that.  Job was righteous and he asked God for an explanation.

My family is going through a very hard time right now.  In the past, when things have been rough, I’ve wondered why.  It’s easy to look back over time and see how difficult times benefited us, but when you’re neck deep in the quicksand, it’s difficult to stop struggling and float.  I used to pray for salvation for a family member along the lines of, “God, whatever it takes.  If it meant that I would get cancer, but my testimony during that time could be used to help bring her to Christ, then give me cancer.”  I think these days that God took me up on it, although it’s another family member who is ill, and the illness is not cancer.  This is decidedly not what I would have chosen.  But that lost person I pray for asked us yesterday what time we go to church – she might go with us tomorrow.  In the past she’s been so hostile that she didn’t want to go even for Christmas events where my daughter was performing.  So this is a real change, and maybe it’s part of the “why?”  This morning was very difficult and I looked up “comfort” in my concordance and found these verses that point to the “why?”

A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
(Psalms 23:1-6)

A shepherd’s rod and staff are used to discipline and steer the sheep in the way he wants them to go.  He’s got the big picture in mind; He’s steering them away from danger or toward better grazing.  It’s a comfort to be reminded that God is in control especially during the bad times.

While I am afflicted, God also comforts me.  And God is building a testimony in me that will bless other people by turning them toward Him, and by preparing me to comfort them:

Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word. I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant. Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight. Let the insolent be put to shame, because they have wronged me with falsehood; as for me, I will meditate on your precepts. Let those who fear you turn to me, that they may know your testimonies. May my heart be blameless in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame!
(Psalms 119:73-80)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.
(2 Corinthians 1:3-7)