Why do bad things happen to good people?

Honestly, there’s not one simple answer to that question – the question is complex and so is the answer.

I Corinthians 13:12 reminds us that while we’re in these mortal bodies, “we see things imperfectly” – not clearly.

It’s as though we’re squinting in a fog.

Compounding that is the fact that we live in a broken world where sin and evil still exist.

That said, this side of Heaven, we will never have all the answers to many of our hard questions; however, as Christ-followers we have complete assurance that our Father does.

And that He loves us.

And cares for us.

However, John 15: 1 – 2 offers us an answer to that challenging question from the top of this post.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener…He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit.” (CSB)

Here, Jesus referred to God as the gardener, Himself as the vine, and those of us who follow Him as branches.

A skilled gardener understands that pruning is necessary for the health of the plant. However, if we interviewed the plant, I’m not so sure it would agree.

Pruning involves cutting away.

I imagine the plant would therefore see this process as a painful one and chalk it up as a “bad thing”.

It may even question the motive of the gardener and wonder how he might bring himself to be so cruel.

The plant might think things like:

I thought the gardener loved me?

If the gardener cared for me, why would he permit this pain in my life?

Can I even trust the gardener?

Yet, all the while, the gardener knows that pruning is necessary for the prosperity of the plant.

In order for the plant to thrive and be healthy, dead vines need to be cut back, diseased limbs need to be removed, and excess foliage cut off.

The gardener prunes the plant because he wants it to flourish.

He prunes the plant because he cherishes and cares for it.

He prunes the plant so that it will grow and be healthier than ever before.

There’s purpose in the pruning.

My friend, today if you find yourself wrestling with why “bad things” may be happening to you, I pray that you will remember the kind and loving gardener.

The “bad things” in our lives ultimately have purpose – even when we don’t see clearly or understand why in the moment.

Perhaps, you’re in a season of pruning that’s making way for new life and ever-increasing fruitfulness!

Until next time, Grace and Glory!