3. The most natural question… Judges 6:13 (NKJV) 13 Gideon said to Him, “O my lord, if the L ORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the L ORD bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the L ORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.” Jesus: Jesus: "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Mk. 15:34)

4. Job 1:1 (NKJV) 1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. Job 1:22 (NKJV) 22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

5. Job 5:7 (NKJV) 7 Yet man is born to trouble, As the sparks fly upward. Job 14:1 (NKJV) 1 “Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble.

6. Jesus: Matthew 6:34 (NKJV) 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

7. Bad things happen to people because some of our troubles are imagined. Matthew 14:25–31 (NKJV) 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” 28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

8. Bad things happen to people because we lack faith. Matthew 14:25–31 (NKJV) 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” 28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

9. Bad things happen to people because man is sinful. Romans 5:12 (NKJV) 12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— 1 John 1:8 (NKJV) “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

10. Bad things happen to people because of natural law. Ecclesiastes 9:11 (NKJV) 11 I returned and saw under the sun that— The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all. Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV) 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

11. Bad things happen to people because of Satan. Job 2:5–6 (NKJV) 5 But stretch out Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” 6 And the L ORD said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.” 1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV) 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

12. Bad things happen to people because God punishes us for sin. Psalm 24:1 (NKJV) 1 The earth is the L ORD ’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.

13. Bad things happen to people because God punishes us for sin. Revelation 3:19 (NKJV) 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Lamentations 3:32–33 (NKJV) 32 Though He causes grief, Yet He will show compassion According to the multitude of His mercies. 33 For He does not afflict willingly, Nor grieve the children of men.

14. What should be our response when suffering occurs? Treat it as if it is the chastisement of God… If it is from Satan it defeats his purpose… If it is from God it fulfills His purpose – to draw us closerto Him… If it is from God it fulfills His purpose – to draw us closer to Him… And if it is caused by some other cause then it still drawsus closer to the Lord! And if it is caused by some other cause then it still draws us closer to the Lord!