I remember as a teenager browsing in a bookstore and coming across a title, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” written by a Jewish Rabbi. It is a question that comes up over and over again, and I am often asked to give my opinion on the subject.
My answer is always, “your free will” which most people don’t want to hear, because they want to blame God or something outside themselves for tradgedy. I often quote C.S. Lewis who said that God must have thought giving mankind free will was so important that He was willing to accept the possibility of His creation’s rejection of His sovereignity.
Surely one of God’s greatest gifts to humanity is free will—the ability to choose. Free will makes love genuine, obedience meaningful, and faith authentic. But it also carries a sobering reality: the freedom to choose good also means the freedom to choose evil. And as history shows, many do.
No matter how faithfully we follow God’s commands, there will always be those who choose otherwise. Some will lie, cheat, steal, harm, or even kill. This is the tragic price of freedom. But we must be very clear—what they do is not God’s will. God does not create sin, nor does He approve of it. His permission is not the same as His approval.
James reminds us, “And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, ‘God is tempting me.’ God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else” (James 1:13, NLT). Or as is often repeated in my church, “God is good - ALL the time”. Evil does not originate in the heart of God but in the choices of humanity. Jesus said plainly, “For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander” (Matthew 15:19, NLT). God gives us a choice, but He never forces us to choose wrong.
This is why tragedy cannot be laid at God’s feet. Instead, it should cause us to pause and examine how humanity has misused freedom. When tragedy strikes, we are tempted to ask, “Why would God allow this?” But perhaps a better question is, “Why would we allow this?” God has given humanity instructions—His Word, His Spirit, and His Son—and yet so often, we ignore them.
Moses, speaking to the Israelites, gave a clear picture of this choice: “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” (Deuteronomy 30:19, NLT). God longs for us to choose life and good—but He will not force our hand.
This means we bear a weighty responsibility. Every time we choose to obey God, we push back against the darkness in the world. Every time we speak truth instead of lies, give instead of steal, forgive instead of hate, we make the world a little less broken. These may seem like small acts, but they add up.
Paul encouraged believers, “Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good” (Romans 12:21, NLT). Our obedience, though often unseen, becomes a quiet revolution. It sets an example that can inspire others—and their faithfulness can inspire still more. The ripple effects of one righteous choice may prevent future harm we may never even see.
Of course, we cannot ignore that evil still exists, even when we do good. The world remains broken, and there will be pain until Christ returns. But rather than let this paralyze us, we are called to take ownership of our choices and live as lights in the darkness. Jesus told His followers, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14, NLT).
This is not easy. Choosing good when others choose evil can feel lonely and costly. But it is also deeply meaningful. God sees, God honors, and God uses those small acts of faithfulness to bring His kingdom closer.
So when tragedy strikes, resist the temptation to blame God. Instead, resolve to do your part. Take ownership of your life and decisions. Choose good, even when it costs you. Love when it would be easier to hate. Speak truth when silence feels safer. Forgive when bitterness would be more satisfying.
You may never know the full impact of your faithfulness, but it matters. As you live this way, you become a living witness to the goodness of God. And one day, when Christ sets all things right, you will see how your choices helped to push back the darkness and prepare the way for His kingdom.
Blessings on you and yours, Jim Black
P.S. if you’d like to read previous ruminations of mine they can be found at https://blog.salvationarmyconcordca.org