Hoping Through Hurt: 5 Days of Biblical Counsel for the HolidaysSample

When Bad Things Happen

Why does God let bad things happen? You might think there would be one, simple, clear verse in the Bible with an answer: “Because you didn’t have enough faith” or “Because God gave people free will.” Your friends might have offered you these pat, easy answers, but the answers God gives in the Bible are not simple; they are much more profound and ultimately, more satisfying.

God Understands Suffering

When your life falls apart, you want someone in the universe to hear how difficult your struggle is and affirm that you are not wrong to feel so much anguish. God sees and hears us in our suffering (Gn 16:7–14; Ex 2:23–25). Consider Jesus. While he lived among us, he experienced undeserved deprivation, ridicule, and cruelty, and then he suffered unimaginable physical and emotional pain as he died on the cross for us.

God cares enough to do something about suffering, though it’s often not what you might expect or want. He comes near to us, and in his presence we are revived to withstand what we’re enduring.

Suffering Is an Invitation to Draw Near

Suffering shows us what is in our hearts. Suffering burns away self-deception by making us aware of what we turn to apart from Jesus to make our lives work the way we want.

Suffering teaches us to depend on Jesus. When Jesus responded to temptation in the desert with perfect trust, he passed the test of faith not just for himself, but for all who put their faith in him. So don’t be discouraged when suffering in your life exposes your unbelieving heart. Instead, confess your lack of faith to Jesus and ask him to fill you with himself.

Practical Strategies for Change

Pray through Psalm 73 and ask God to help you say, along with the psalmist, “Who do I have in heaven but you? And I desire nothing on earth but you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever” (vv. 25–26).

There are many other similar psalms. Find one that expresses your heart. Make it your personal prayer to God and live it out: Confess that God’s purposes are good even when you don’t fully understand them. Ask God to show you what is in your heart. Remember God’s mercy to you, and thank him for it.

Was this Plan helpful? We adapted this plan from the CSB Life Counsel Bible.