People

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Banks Nwokeji ©
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Indubitably, this happens to be a very popular question and one amongst the most frequent questions I’ve heard people ask. Possibly, everyone reading this article right now might have, on one or two occasions, given a thought to the question “why do bad things happen to good people”?
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For so many years I have asked this question, but never got any plausible answer (I usually get a lot of crazy answers), not until I decided to seek the answers myself. I’ll subsequently share my discoveries in this article.
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First off, I discovered that most times when people ask this question, there is usually a hidden phrase that they leave out. It is there in their subconscious mind, but they (usually) leave it as a thought. This is how it is in their minds: “why does (God let) bad things happen to good people?”

That leads us to my second discovery. I realized there are two “major” reasons why people ask this question. Translation: anytime someone asks, “why do bad things happen to good people?” they are asking because:

1. They “believe” that God is in control. So, they think, “why should he let bad things happen to good people?”

2. They “believe” that bad things shouldn’t happen to good people.
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In the process of my discoveries, I carefully noted four critical factors. Factors I can positively attest to being absolute in this subject. I’m positive that understanding these four truths would undoubtedly eradicate every misapprehension or misperception that you may have about this question. Here we go!

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#1 THINGS ARE NO LONGER THE WAY GOD INTENDED (PLANNED) IT TO BE
If you “truly” intend to know why bad things happen to good people, then you should start by finding out why “bad things happen in the first place”. Things are no longer the way God designed them to be, and for that reason, bad things are bound to happen. After the fall (loss of God-given authority) of man (in Genesis), a whole lot of things were altered (changed). As a matter of Fact, God has –for ages- been committed to restoring order in the universe, as a response to man’s mismanagement of the earth. That was the sole purpose of Jesus Christ on earth. We all know the old story of Eden, I mean the beginning of all human pitfalls and catastrophe. Two guys (Adam and Eve), one garden, one supposedly tricky serpent and of course one creator (God). The tricky serpent was able to get the young lady (Eve) to buy into his misguidedly horrendous idea of eating the fruit which the creator had instructed them not to. The current chaotic state of the earth today; the wars, crimes, diseases, natural disasters, and general wickedness; was never God’s original PLAN, actually, it was all a product of the WRONG CHOICE (made by the first people). This, definitely, should be the first thought as to “why bad things happen to good people” as it leads us to the next fact.

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#2 GOD IS NOT IN CONTTROL
The second fact evidently rationalizes the first and vice versa. Translation: “things are no longer the way God intended them to be” because “it has always been the responsibility of man to determine the circumstances and situations of the earth” We human generate the circumstances surrounding the happenings on earth without acknowledging it, simply because we have wrongfully assumed that “God is in Control”. If it was really God in control, don’t you think things would be a lot better than they are right now on earth? His plan was obstructed because he was (clearly) not the one calling the shots on earth matters. He handed that responsibility to the creature called MAN (read Genesis.1:26).

Over time, people have tried to understand why evil things happen to good people. So far, the most conventionally subscribed answer is the “God is control” philosophy, which is clearly a human attempt to hold our “loving” heavenly Father responsible for bad events (especially the inexplicable).

When I say “God is not in control”, I’m never in any way suggesting that God is not ‘sovereign’ or ‘powerful’. No. I’m simply and most assuredly saying that, Man was made in the image and likeness of God and by the virtue of the (power of the WILL) have been delegated or authorized to determine the circumstances of the earth.

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#3 PEOPLE MAKE BAD (WRONG) DECISIONS
In simple terms, bad things happen (even to good people) because people make bad decisions. Yes! it’s that simple. Show me a bad event (or circumstance) and I would always trace it to a bad decision made by someone, somewhere (deliberately or unknowingly). Never forget this: everything that has happened, everything that is happening and everything that will happen on earth, are all the product of decisions (made by people). Our decisions knowing or unbeknownst to us, are constantly creating circumstances around us and other people too. Whether you’re aware or not, you are constantly making decisions that consequently generate circumstances for both you and other people. I don’t know about you but this is scary enough to make me lose my grip. That brings us to the next crucial point.

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#4 WE ARE ALL CONNECTED (LINKED)
This is without a doubt the most crucial fact I discovered. God designed the human race to be co-dependent and most importantly, inter-linked. The fact that I am not the only one (living) in this planet makes my choices and decisions, not only critical to my well-being, but also to the safety and well-being of others. If it was only me on this planet then I would not have to bother much about the choices I make nor the things I do. For all I know, I could drive drunk or carelessly, because there won’t be anyone to knockdown. Even If I decide to become a terrorist, there won’t be anyone to terrorize and if I decide to become an armed robber, there won’t be anyone to rob. I’m just saying. Not many people have realized this truth yet; we affect and influence others in ways we don’t realize. It is very sad to know, but, a bad decision made by someone, somewhere, has the capability of affecting someone else who is clearly underserving (that’s the power of the “human link”). So practically speaking, when a group of “misguided” terrorist “decides to bomb a park or stadium, so many undeserving (good) people are going to get hurt (die).

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POINTS TO NOTE:

1. Bad things happen because people make bad decisions.

2. Sometimes, Good people also make bad decisions.

3. Your decision can implicate other people just as someone else’s decision can implicate you.

4. Some decisions are made under influence and sometimes unknowingly.

5. Every decision has a consequence

Finally:
How do we determine who a good person is? How can we identify a good person when we see one? This has been a subject of concern for many of us but the answer isn’t far-fetched. A good person is someone with the right(a good) mental disposition, philosophy, belief and values. He is someone who sees GOOD in life and people. People are basically defined by #intent, not just action.

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