When bad things happen, people... 1. Blame God (He did this or He was unable to stop it.) 2. Blame the victim (He must have done something bad to deserve this. (Kharma. Job's friends.)) 3. Accept suffering as part of life in a fallen world and praise God for the good in it (even if unseen. Rom 8:28). We are *all* fallen creatures in a fallen world. Who is the "prince" of this world? John 12:31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. Eph 2:1-2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. This world is corrupted by sin. Rom 8:20-23 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. 21 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. So if nature hurts you, it's because of sin. If a PERSON hurts you, it's because of sin! God gives all of us Free Will! BUT... Suffering has purpose. Rom 8:28 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose. James 1:2-4 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of **many kinds**, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Perseverance and maturity. II Cor 1:3-4 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. Compassion and the ability to comfort others. Rom 5:3-5 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Hope! Another word: FAITH! As you experience God's deliverance, your faith gets stronger! As your faith gets stronger, you learn to trust God in everything. (Prov 3:5-6) 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.[a] Finally, remeber that this life is nothing compared to eternity. Rom 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.