Why Do Bad Things Always Happen to Me?

David Reyes

Several years ago, when we lived in Dallas, I was running late to church. We lived about 35-40 minutes from my Dad’s church, which was about 30 or so miles from our house. God bless those great Texas highways LOL! Although I had the luxury of racing up and down those great Texas highways, my Dad’s church was located approximately 3-5 miles from the nearest highway in any direction. Meaning, it took at least 10 of those minutes to get from the highway all the way to my Dad’s church, as long as you didn’t catch any red lights. That day, I made it from our house, racing up interstate 35, to that glorious Illinois Avenue exit in record time! Then, cue the perfect storm. 

There are at least ten lights that I can count on Google Maps from the highway to my Dad’s church. That day, every stinkin’ one was red!!! I would stop at one, rev my engine (that poor little 4 cylinder Toyota Corolla), race to the next intersection, slam on the brakes, tires screeching - RED LIGHT! So after about five of those wonderful red lights, the thought entered my mind, then I eventually said it out loud. “This is so typical - this kind of stuff always happens to me!”

I know a few of you can relate. When all hell breaks loose, that’s where our minds go. Why does bad stuff always happen to me? Well, it sure does seem like it. And there might even be some truth there. But let me try to bring a little clarity to that way of thinking. 

The truth is, bad stuff happens in this world. From red lights when you’re running late all the way to death, disease, and famine. We forget just how fallen this world is. But here is the clarity... Jesus said: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

When bad stuff happens, you HAVE TO take comfort in that word. Jesus is saying, the victory is already yours! And what is that victory? It’s the WIN we have over sin! It’s also important to note that disappointment, pain, and setbacks can serve a purpose. Romans 5:3-5 says, “but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

So take heart! I pray that you are reminded when bad stuff happens, that God holds you in his hands, and something wonderful can potentially come from this. I want to leave you with this beautiful passage in 2 Corinthians 4:

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”