Lord, Where Are You When Bad Things Happen?: A Devotional Study on Living by Faith

Devotional Study

by Kay Arthur

Enjoy the expanded and updated editions of the best-selling "Lord" Bible Study Series from Kay Arthur.  The "Lord" study series is an insightful, warm-hearted Bible study series designed to meet readers where they are--and help them discover God's answers to their deepest needs.

Chaos. Tragedy. Brokenness. Where Is God?

        You never dreamed it would happen to you. You cry for help...but God doesn't seem to hear. Why?
        Chaos, tragedies, broken relationships -- how could a God who is all-powerful, all-wise, and all-loving allow these things?
        And what about the wars, disasters, and plagues tearing the world apart? If God really is who He says He is, how can He let these things happen? Why doesn't He do something?
        In Lord, Where Are You When Bad Things Happen? Kay Arthur will guide you to
the answers through the book of Habakkuk, helping you know God, understand Him, and love Him more fully. This daily study will minister to you and help you walk by faith. These are invaluable truths you can share easily with others, individually or in small groups.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Theology, Christianity

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Kay Lee Arthur was an American Christian author, Bible teacher, and co-founder of Precept Ministries International. Renowned for her accessible and inductive approach to Bible study, she helped millions engage deeply with Scripture. Arthur began her ministry informally, teaching teenagers in her living room alongside her second husband, Jack Arthur. Their work soon grew into a global outreach, headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, under the name Precept Ministries International. She hosted the daily Bible teaching program Precepts for Life and became a respected voice in evangelical circles. Arthur authored numerous books and was a four-time winner of the ECPA Christian Book Award for titles such as A Marriage Without Regrets and The New Inductive Study Bible. Her ministry was rooted in a personal reawakening to faith in the early 1960s, following a divorce and a return to religious life. She and Jack also served briefly as missionaries in Mexico before founding their ministry. Arthur remained active in public faith-based initiatives into her later years and was known for her firm stances on social issues. She passed away on 2025 leaving behind a lasting legacy in Christian education and publishing.

Reviews

[Carmen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like this author, I believe she has a heart for God and for those who are hurting... But I was concerned about a place in the book where the author used the example of a virgin who was raped (a drug was added to her wine). Later in the book, the author did say that God would make sure justice would prevail... But until you get there, the author kept on stating the evils of wine.

People who are raped often blame themselves, this book could make that worse. If someone "spikes" a girl's wine, that person would just as easily "spike" an orange juice or soft drink. I am concerned that people who are hurting would pick up this book and get to a critical point and not keep on reading. Someone who was raped should seek therapy and not read this book alone. They should have a support group.

I am sure the author explained it better on the videos, but I just read the book without a church group, so no videos were available.

[Janet Sketchley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid Scriptural application on a timely subject, and I learned more on this second time through this study. There were a few places where I felt the author commentary felt more like a rant than like good teaching, but for the most part I appreciated the study.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned a lot and glad I read it.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very detailed information. Will probably re-read to remember more information.

[Darlene Maynard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the Lord series, this was another fantastic devotional bible study.

[Laura A · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great study and very timely with all that is going on in the world. I started and paused to do another study and I am so glad I picked it back up again.
Focuses on the book of Habakkuk.

Really enjoyed and recommend. Like all studies, sometimes it is not what the author says but the deeper personal study that the book leads you to.

[Bess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book about 16 years ago. It is a study on the book of Habakkuk in The Bible. I think it would have been a good idea to have included that in the title of the book. It was the first books of Kay Author's I've read. It went into great depth in the context in which Habakkuk was a prophet which greatly added to the understanding of the book. I am able to review it because, for me, it wasn't a book I just read once and put down. Habakkuk became a favorite book, although it's not one you see a lot of Bible Studies on, sadly. Habakkuk is a very unique book in God's Word because it was a one on one conversation with God and greatly portrayed faith in God when we don't understand our circumstances. Also a great portrayal of God meeting us in our Circumstances and how faithful He is to use them in our lives. I highly recommend it.

[Debi Grenseman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to remind us that always God is who He says He is. He is sovereign and has a great plan that He will bring to fruition--it will happen. In life, He is our strength, not our circumstances. Kay reminds us, as does Habakkuk, that our "faith will become airborne when [we] consider it all joy...when [we] encounter various trials" and when in faith [we] are always giving thanks for all things." It's all about trusting God.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very good book I loved it

[Donald Harwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great study that revolves around Habbakuk. Ms. Arthur has a magnificent way aiding you in discovering what God's word is saying to you and making your own discovery of its application.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a study on the book of Habakkuk, which searches for answers to WHY? so you can walk by faith through the difficulties of life.

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites. I worked this one twice.

[Robin Fuson]

Great study as Kay's books and teaching take you all over the bible giving you the whole council of God's word. I enjoy teaching from her studies and the responses from the ladies in my group is heart felt. To watch them learn and grow is priceless. Thanks Kay!