When Bad Things Happen to Christians (1) - How We Should Not Respond

当圣徒遇见苦难  When Bad Things Happen to Christians

There are all kinds of bad things that happen to Christians in the world. In fact, they happen to non-Christians as well. They happen to everyone.

Bad things will definitely happen because we are bad people in a bad world.

But when the bad things happen, what is different is how we respond. And we can respond in a God honoring manner by knowing His purposes for us when bad things happen. People think that only the good things are from God. But both good and bad things are allowed by God. And often, the bad things achieve a greater effect than the good things.



What are some of the bad things that may/will happen? (Read Job 1-2)


Car accidents. Illness. Diabetes. Paralysis. Cancer. Death to your child, your wife might suffer a miscarriage, your spouse. Your wife might die in child birth.
Job 1:18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”



Economic - loss of income/job demotions/loss of savings, investments are down by 90%. Retrenchments.
Job 1: 14-15 “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, 15 and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”



Illness to self. Migraine
Job 2: 7 So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. 8 Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.



Human Inflicted Problems

Like how Job's three friends comfort turned in rebuke/mistrust that his suffering was a result of his sin.

• Work - ostracized by colleagues/bosses, unfairly treated
• Family - quarrels, some do not play their part, children, parents
• Church - criticism though you have served faithfully, betrayal, fell into sin/false teachings though you have shepherded them.

Human inflicted pain are often the most painful things. Often more than economic or physical. The more intimate the relationship, the more the pain. Eg. Job’s wife, three friends. Paul’s betrayal, departure from God’s teachings even after he has invested his heart, tears, money in the churches he has so faithfully ministered to.



What we should know. Bad things happen to Upright, blameless, God fearing, evil shunning Christians.

Job 1:1
In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.



How we should NOT respond.
1. We should not grumble against God. Job's wife. Think that He is not in control. Hold Him in contempt. Rage against Him.

Stop serving Him. 

Don’t believe in Him.

Job 2:9 "Job's wife said, Do you still retain your integrity? Curse God and die!"
Num 14:27 "How long must I endure this evil community that keeps complaining about Me? 29 Your corpses will fall in this wilderness because you have complained about Me."

2. Just look for human means to solve the problem. Read secular self-help books, counselor, psychologist above the teachings of the bible. All these are not wrong, but if they reign above the bible, then it is dangerous. You might solve the surface of the problem temporarily, but it will come back again. Worse, it might not be biblical. God does not favor.



We have to trust that God’s word can answer to our deepest problems. We often think God’s word solves only the shallow problems and psychology solves the deepest problems. NO! There is an interview with psychiatrist/psychologist above if they have treated any one of them. In the interview, none can confidently claimed that they have treated any one. We have to go back to biblical counseling and not be ashamed of God's truth that it cannot solves the deepest of our problems.