Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?
There are many good people on this earth struggling with persecution, abuse violence and dying of cancer at an early age. There are also many evil people who prosper from the misfortunes of others and yet seem to live happy and trouble free lives. Some of them are so evil that they laugh at the misfortune and suffering of others.
These people think that life on this planet is all that there is and so they feel they must enjoy themselves and be happy. As long as they are happy they don’t care about treading on people who are are less fortunate.
These people are also blinded by the world and earthly things and forget that there is eternal life beyond the grave. God gives us free will. That is to do His will or do evil. How you live your temporal life today determines your eternal future. If you are going to live a life according to Gods will than your eternal future is nothing but joy and happiness. If you choose to ignore God and do evil then you must also face the eternal consequences.
People who do Gods will are regarded as fools by the wicked! The wicked may laugh and mock now but when their hour of death comes they will tremble and shake with fear. They will then realise that they were the fools all along.
‘If any one has a powerful enemy, he can neither eat nor sleep in peace ; and he who has God for an enemy, how can he rest in peace? When he who is living in sin feels the earth quake, and hears the thunders roar, Oh ! how he trembles? Every leaf that moves affrights him. ” A dreadful sound is in his ears.” (Job xv. 21.) He is ever flying away without seeing who follows him. ” The wicked flee when no man pursueth.” (Prov. xxviii. i.)’
– St Alphonsus de Liguori
There is no peace unto the wicked sayeth the Lord – Isaiah 48:22.
So when suffering and persecution befall you who live a righteous life conforming to the will of God. Do not be troubled for great is your reward in heaven!