Dear Dr. B,

I just can’t understand, why do bad things happen to Christians? I have so many friends who don’t love Jesus and their lives seem so much easier. It just seems so ironic to me. I’m just searching for answers.

Oh Dear One who is searching for answers,

It’s a good thing that you are searching, and Scripture tells us that anyone who lacks wisdom should ask, and God will give it liberally!

The simple fact that you are asking this question tells me that either you or someone you love is going through a difficult time, experiencing some “bad things.”

Let me first say that I’m sorry for any pain that you are enduring as a result of such hard times. I too have gone through those times in life that are difficult, and well, painful. And while it might feel like it, you aren’t alone.

In the beginning, God did create a perfect world free of pain and suffering. But, unfortunately, the choices Adam and Eve made in the Garden of Eden brought suffering into all of our lives forevermore. When God created us, He gave us free will. He didn’t want robots who automatically surrendered and obeyed to Him.  Adam and Eve used their free will when they took the bite of fruit the enemy offered to them.

It all goes back to those early choices that were made to listen to the voice of the enemy rather than trusting the voice of God, and we’ve all been paying the price since.  We have similar choices to make.

Wouldn’t it be nice to think that if we love Jesus, we would be exempt from difficulties?

But in actuality, that’s not what we can expect. Jesus told us that we would experience trials and difficult times: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

We can all expect to go through hard times and experience bad things in life, but as one who loves Jesus, we have the assurance that God can and will use not just the good times, but also the bad times for our good and for His glory: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28 NLT).

Knowing that God causes everything to work together for our good often brings me peace. It calms my heart to realize that even though we will suffer, He will bring good from it.

There is purpose in our pain.

In fact, Scripture tells us that many good things come out of our problems and trials: “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment.” (Romans 5:3-5 NLT)

So take heart, Dear One. While you may be going through difficult times, good can come from it. Trust your circumstances and place the outcome into the hands of our perfect God and His perfect timing.

Because of Him, #HopePrevails!

Dr. Bengtson

Depression doesn’t have to become a permanent part of life.

There is hope.

Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression and the companion Hope Prevails Bible Study help the reader understand how depression comes to be, recover their joy, reclaim their peace, and re-establish their true identity, while knowing their worth, remembering their secure destiny, and being confident that nothing separates them from God’s love.

Hope Prevails and the Hope Prevails Bible Study are must-reads for anyone suffering from depression or knows someone suffering from depression.

“If you or a loved one are walking through the valley of depression, be encouraged that you are not alone. Dr. Michelle Bengtson has provided a powerful resource to help you on your journey toward hope. It is a personal and positive book, as you learn from Dr. Bengtson’s own story as well as her practical knowledge in the field. I love how she shares a prescription, a prayer and a playlist at the end of each chapter to give you an extra boost of strength. Hope Prevails is a must read for every person who struggles with depression.” ~ Karol Ladd, Author of Thrive, Don’t Simply Survive