Why do bad things happen to good people?

You can’t explain it away but why do bad things happen to good people? That subject was the focus on last night’s youth group at Maple City Chapel.

Dave and Brenda and their four children attend Maple City. In February 2004 Dave went to northern Michigan with some friends to go snowmobiling. He did not go home for another month.

Dave and his friends had been on the trail for only about a half hour. He was traveling about 60 miles per hour on a straight stretch when he hit a dip in the trail. Since the “sled” may have been sized improperly, he flew into the air and apparently landed on his handlebars. As the snowmobile headed for a tree, Dave jumped off his bike and landed in the snow.

Although the guys were six to seven miles from a road, they were finally able to get an ambulance to take Dave to the Sault Ste. Marie hospital. He stayed there one week until he got jaundice from liver problems and had to be transferred to the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor.

At Ann Arbor, they discovered tears and leakage in his bile ducts. While his liver eventually healed, the doctors finally suggested reconstructive bile duct surgery. Dave and Brenda were told that this procedure is riskier than open heart surgery.

Back home that fall, Dave asked to be anointed at church. God answered those prayers a few weeks later when he was given a clean bill of health without having to do the surgery. God continues to work in miraculous ways.

While Dave and Brenda don’t wish this on anyone else, they see how they can show God’s hope to others in similar situations. Dave noted that the accident helped him refocus his priorities on God and his family and other people in general. He encouraged the youth to have fun but stay focused.

Why do bad things happen to God people? Only God knows! Trust in God and surround yourself with caring people and you will find hope in all situations. In the Bible Job challenges us to go to the extreme, “Even if the enemy kills me, I will hope in Him (God).” (my translation)