When Bad Things Happen to Good People

There are many questions yet to be answered in the high school shooting that took place today in Chardon, OH (about 30 minutes from where I live). But one question I hear from clients often, no matter where the tragedy occurs is, "How can God let this happen?" I don't consider myself especially skilled to answer such a monumental and important question, but I can share with you what conclusions I've seen many people reach, sometimes years after their personal struggles.

1) When you're stripped of everything and reminded of the fragility of life, you appreciate it and the people you love more. If you thought of your loved ones today, shared loving words, or cherished the gift of life just a little bit more today, why didn't you do it yesterday? Suffering makes us aware of what we take for granted.

2) If you said a prayer today (or any other day of tragedy), when is the last time you prayed? Do you only seek help in crisis and expect miracles according to your agenda, or do you seek a two-way relationship with daily guidance and dependance in all decisions? Tragedy reminds us of our limited control.

3) If you struggle to answer why innocent people suffer, perhaps it will be more helpful to change the question to, what am I to do with this suffering? For every tragedy, lessons wait to be learned. How have you personally grown from your sufferings? The purpose of death is to teach us how to live.

Recommended Reading: When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Harold S. Kushner.