Why do Bad Things Happen?

Why does God allow disease? Why are people killed by hurricanes? Why did so many people lose their homes to forest fires? Why do bad things happen? Why did God even allow sin into this world?
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The above questions have been asked by generations of people who have tried to figure out God and what He is doing. Of course we look forward to a heaven utopia with no problems or trials at all, but if we had been born into such a utopia, it would be much more difficult to really appreciate God. The fact that we have problems drives us to God for our comfort.
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Psalm 107 is a great place to see this laid our before us. In the very first verse we are reminded that God’s mercy endures forever. Then it goes on to show us how God provided deliverance from trials. “Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.” (Psalms 107:6)
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The Psalm also points out that many of the trials that were faced were because people rebelled against God (vs. 11-12) or acted in a foolish sinful manner (vs. 17), yet even when the problems were their own fault, God still helped them when they cried unto Him. “Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.” (Psalms 107:13, see also vs. 18)
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As we come to vs. 23 we are given the illustration of a storm at sea to show that as God sends the storm, He is able to get the attention of men so that they turn to Him. “They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.” (Psalms 107:23-30)
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Throughout this Psalm we are shown God’s power and God’s mercy. As He shows His mercy and helps us, it should remind us to praise Him. Psalms 107:8 says, “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” That same verse is repeated in verses 15, 21, and 31 as well. As trials come and God delivers, we should be reminded to praise Him.
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As we come to the end of the Psalm, we see that some people suffer loss and others are helped. Today there are many who look at trials and realize that God is their only hope. There are others who become angry at God for causing or allowing the trials. The righteous however understand the goodness of God. Psalm 107 concludes with these words: “The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth. Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.” (Psalms 107:42-43)
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Rather than getting mad at God, the righteous turn to Him, trusting His lovingkindness, as they understand that He loved us so much that He sent His son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. For those who still refuse to turn to God in a world filled with trials, I believe they would be even less likely to turn to Him in a utopia where they saw no need for His mercy.