The Lord sometimes afflicts His chosen ones to -
a.) Train them in patience.
b.) Train them in obedience.
c.) Use their situation to attest to, and prove, His graces.
Why do bad things happen to good people? -
a.) None of us are truly good. (Romans 3:10)
b.) God employs adverse circumstances to teach us and draw us closer to Him.
c.) There definitely can be consequences for the sins we commit.
James 1:2-8 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, (3) knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (4) But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (5) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (6) But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. (7) For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; (8) he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Jas 1:12 Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
2 Thessalonians 1:4-5 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, (5) which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;
2 Cor 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory;
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. (8) Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. (9) And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (10) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Romans 5:3-4 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; (4) and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.
Hebrews 12:5-8,11 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; (6) For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives." (7) If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? (8) But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
(11) Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, (7) that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
1Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].
Proverbs 3:11-12 My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction; (12) For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, [and] exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Psalms 119:71 [It is] good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.
Deuteronomy 8:2-6 "And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you [and] test you, to know what [was] in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. (3) "So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every [word] that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD. (4) "Your garments did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years. (5) "You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, [so] the LORD your God chastens you. (6) "Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him.
1 Peter 2:19-21 For this [is] commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. (20) For what credit [is it] if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this [is] commendable before God. (21) For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
1 Peter 3:14-17 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, [you are] blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled." (15) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always [be] ready to [give] a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; (16) having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. (17) For [it is] better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
Genesis 50:15-20 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him." (16) So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father gave this command before he died, (17) 'Say to Joseph, Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.' And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept when they spoke to him. (18) His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, "Behold, we are your servants." (19) But Joseph said to them, "Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? (20) As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
Isaiah 41:8-16 "But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham My friend. (9) You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its farthest regions, And said to you, 'You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: (10) Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' (11) "Behold, all those who were incensed against you Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish. (12) You shall seek them and not find them; Those who contended with you. Those who war against you Shall be as nothing, As a nonexistent thing. (13) For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.' (14) "Fear not, you worm Jacob, You men of Israel! I will help you," says the LORD And your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. (15) "Behold, I will make you into a new threshing sledge with sharp teeth; You shall thresh the mountains and beat them small, And make the hills like chaff. (16) You shall winnow them, the wind shall carry them away, And the whirlwind shall scatter them; You shall rejoice in the LORD, And glory in the Holy One of Israel.
An Encouraging Psalm -
Psalms 25:1-22 A Psalm of David. To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul. (2) O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me. (3) Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause. (4) Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. (5) Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day. (6) Remember, O LORD, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, For they are from of old. (7) Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness' sake, O LORD. (8) Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way. (9) The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way. (10) All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth, To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. (11) For Your name's sake, O LORD, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great. (12) Who is the man that fears the LORD? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. (13) He himself shall dwell in prosperity, And his descendants shall inherit the earth. (14) The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant. (15) My eyes are ever toward the LORD, For He shall pluck my feet out of the net. (16) Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me, For I am desolate and afflicted. (17) The troubles of my heart have enlarged; Bring me out of my distresses! (18) Look on my affliction and my pain, And forgive all my sins. (19) Consider my enemies, for they are many; And they hate me with cruel hatred. (20) Keep my soul, and deliver me; Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You. (21) Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for You. (22) Redeem Israel, O God, Out of all their troubles!