Why did this happen?

What we can’t know

When something undesirable happens, if there is a Divine purpose or a specific Divine permit, we cannot know that this is the case, apart from special revelation from God.

We know that God allowed Satan to afflict Job very severely: “Behold, all that he has is in your power.” We know the reason for this was because Satan accused Job of merely serving God for the blessings and protection of God.  God wanted to prove that it was otherwise.

Job’s relationship with God went much deeper than a mere quid pro quo: as indicated in these words: 13.15: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”
Yet Job did not know the “why” as to what happened to him, the loss of his property and the death of all his children.

Yet later he knew, and so do we, by way of revelation.
Yet, we do not have special revelation to explain why something happens to us in every situation, unless it accords with a general rule in Scripture.

What we can know

Many things are an obvious cause and effect

Galatians 6.7 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption.” If you have wrong spiritual priorities, things can and will go awry. You will become disapproved by God.

On the other hand: “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3.12 Peter instructs his readers that they should not think it a strange thing concerning the “fiery trial which is to try” them. 1 Peter 4.12 Since this world is under the sway of Satan (1 John 5.19), persecution is the appointment of the believer who is living faithfully. 1 Thes 3.3 “no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.”

Free will, time and opportunity

It is because of free will and accountability of people to God that bad things, evil happens. It is because God is giving time and opportunity for nonbelievers to be saved (1 Timothy 1.15-16) and believers to be worthy of the kingdom (2 Thes 1.4-5). Free will and opportunity are why evil is allowed to continue—until God says enough, as in the Days of Noah or Sodom or the end of the great tribulation.

1 Tim 1.15-16: This [is] a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

2 Thes 1.4-5: we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 5 [which] [is] manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;

For a testimony or example

One may say they don’t know what good can come of what they suffer, but there is always the impact that the saved person can have on the unsaved when the saved person has suffered evil or wrong and yet has not cursed God or become angry at God or abandoned the fear of the Lord.

He or she has this testimony to the unsaved when both have suffered the same kind of things.

Matthew 5. 44-45: But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

The believer’s response to difficulty and persecution is really the answer to why things happen. His response should be a witness of faith in God. And it is an example to other believers. There is a testimony to the unsaved, and example to the saved.

1 Thes 1. 6: And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.

Hope in God

Some do suffer more than others simply because of the natural course of life due to genetics or lifestyle or life's hazards or evil people. Life is not fair.
(Some physical suffering may be due to evil acts by people or the satanic realm; and these may be permitted either directly or indirectly by God. By indirectly, I mean that God may generally allow the failure of the constraints of family, society, and government to limit evil, and he may generally allow Satan and his realm to afflict people to the degree they have abandoned God in their consciences and lifestyle. But directly, God may permit Satan to afflict or stir up people to afflict other people.)

My thinking is that God generally doesn’t interfere with the natural course of life, which eventually leads to death (though he may in answer to prayer). For some, that course is shorter or the end may be more tragic.

Ecclessiates 3.19-20: For what happens to the sons of men also happens to animals; one thing befalls them: as one dies, so dies the other. Surely, they all have one breath; man has no advantage over animals, for all [is] vanity. All go to one place: all are from the dust, and all return to dust.

Everything evil that may befall man can have the purpose to cause one not to hope in this life and to find hope in God.

Acts 24. 14-15: Paul’s defense when accused of sedition to Rome: “I have hope in God.” Jesus’ resurrection is the evidence to have such hope.

2 Corinthians 4. 16-17: Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward [man] is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction , which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory.


2 Corinthians 12. 7-9: And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.

Romans 8. 18-21: For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy [to] [be] [compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected [it] in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Ecclessiates 12:12-14: Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, I have no pleasure in them. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.