Why do Bad Things Happen?: Part 1 of the "Why, God?" Series

by Amy Travis

Simply put, there are times when life just sucks. Death, tragedy, and loss are part of the fallen condition of humanity. It’s ok to experience the full range of emotions, but we don’t allow our grief or sadness to be so overwhelming that it defines who we are as individuals. It’s not the event, but our capacity to be resilient—to become strong again after bad things happen—that will determine our future.But make no mistake about it, the struggle is real. Your pain is real. For every success story there are a million others who drown their sorrow in alcohol and wind up in rehab, or act out in rage and land in jail, or refuse to forgive or let go and remain trapped in a prison of their own making.God, the author of life, didn't have to allow suffering. When you look closer you see that God not only permits it, but suffering is so central to the human experience that He sent his Son to earth to suffer and die. Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross is more meaningful because of the pain and anguish He suffered—for our benefit.Don’t allow your pain and loss to chart the course for your future. God created you, loves you, and has a plan and purpose for your life.Here’s the remarkable thing about God—He redeems our suffering. He doesn't just allow it; He assigns purpose to it. He can transform the heartbreak and pain in our lives to benefit ourselves and others. Often, our pain becomes our platform.

28 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 29, 2021

About the author

Amy Travis was born in 1968 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She has been married to Perry for over 30 years, and they have three adult children: Nathan, Valerie, and Nicholas. Amy wrote her first book, "You Can Visit, but You Can't Live There" at the age of 50. She considers herself a late-bloomer and is looking forward to the next 50 years.