WHY – Do ‘bad’ things happen to Christians

WHY – Do ‘bad’ things happen to Christians

There is always something isn’t there – goes wrong I mean. But just as there is always something wrong, so there is ALWAYS God there to carry us through. Let me explain with a little story :-

This is my own testimony of the years from December 2005 until now.

On 20th April 2007, my wife of nearly 36 years, Linda, was taken home following a long fight against the ravages of cancer. It was a dark time for all of us but there are three wonderful moments during that time that will remain with me for ever.

At Christmas 2005 we celebrated with our sons at their houses. Our youngest, Iain, with his lovely wife Nicki, told us of the impending arrival of our first grandchild. Great rejoicing and celebrations. It was Linda’s mum’s first great grandchild too. Then in February a lump appeared in Linda’s side and we went to the doctor.

In March 2006, we learned that Linda had advanced cancer of the liver. She started all the usual chemo therapy treatments and then I received a Word from the Lord June 2006(?)

Ezekiel 24 (AMP)

“16Son of man [Ezekiel], behold, I take away from you the desire of your eyes [your wife] at a single stroke. Yet you shall neither mourn nor weep, neither shall your tears flow. 17Sigh and groan, but not aloud [be silent]; make no mourning for the dead; bind your turban upon your head and put your shoes on your feet, and do not cover your beard or eat the bread of mourners [furnished by others]. 18So I spoke to the people in the morning and in the evening my wife died, and I did the next morning as I was commanded.”

Then these three amazing & wonderful things happened

First, on 29 July 2006 she saw, held, and loved our first grandchild – Riley
Second, at Christmas 2006 she heard about our second grandchild, Sam coming. As it turned out, he arrived after she died.

The finally, Linda came to salvation in Our Lord Jesus Christ just three weeks before she died.


All three events brought us great joy together and gave Linda a reason to keep fighting right to the end. One other important miracle was that at no time did Linda ever suffer pain or even major discomfort during the whole illness.

On the 18th April 2007, I received this email “I want to remind you of a conversation we had a very long time ago. You told me that God had promised to bring Linda to faith and you could not see how it would happen. As far as I can tell that has happened - He has kept his promise. You will be together in heaven. He has healed her spiritually and shown her how much you love her through your tender care during her illness. If He should choose now to take her home despite all our prayers and wishes then He has still kept his promise because heaven is her true home and the location of true and perfect healing.

Our god is true and holy and he will do what is right even though we may not fully understand. Whatever happens I will uphold you in prayer and with my friendship. As your arms weaken and fall I will hold them up so that you can carry on praising Him.”


On 20th April 2007 at 5:50 in the afternoon, the whole family were with her as the Lord took her home. I held her hands and it was very peaceful. I received two text messages that day. “I have just seen Linda in heaven. She is absolutely amazed. She is so excited she doesn’t know what to do first.” Then this beautiful text “The Lord just said to tell you to “Receive My peace – Linda has just cast her crown before Me.” I cannot tell you the peace I had during that season. All I can say is that Gods Grace IS sufficient for me.

Then, in October 2007, Peter invited me to join him on a RoFMI ministry trip to Brussels - which I went on. It was the start for something truly amazing in my life. Since that trip we have been on 16 similar trips to Spain, Denmark, Norway, Ireland, Ulster, USA, and Brussels again. Now in 2009 we have been to Norway, Spain (twice), and Iceland. Denmark, and Spain again in the diary.

WHY?? There is also the biggie – why, despite all our prayers and apparent promises, did God allow Linda to die ?? From my perspective, I can say that I don’t fully know right now but that I will be able to ask Him later – when I join Linda in heaven. That probably doesn’t help most people, so let me say this. Sometimes God doesn’t allow us to see the whole or even the greater picture. Sometimes there is a greater purpose to be served by Him taking them home to Himself that we may not know or understand. Probably, it serves His perfect will better this way and that He has plans for all of us that are actually better served by allowing Linda to die. Why? I just cannot answer that yet, but believe me, I am truly believing that something better has come out of this. I am trusting God to reveal this to all of us as time passes. I just want to remember an incredibly brave, funny, stubborn, and utterly loving & loveable woman to whom I had the enormous privilege and pleasure of being married for nearly 36 years.

And now – who knows. Only God does and I love & trust Him totally. God is always faithful – Rom 8 28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” The greatest miracle is Linda’s salvation. “Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven” - Linda loved the Lord. She is healed, she is home, and she is happy – that’s all that really matters.

Early in 2009, a lady whom I have never met – although we were going to meet as she was going to come and pray with Linda, but It never happened for whatever reason. She called me and said that the Lord had put a scripture in her mind and said to call and give it to me as a prophecy. Apparently, the Lord was specific about using the Amplified version !!
2 Timothy 4(AMP)

“1I CHARGE [you] in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, Who is to judge the living and the dead, and by (in the light of) His coming and His kingdom: 2Herald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favourable or unfavourable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.] And convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching.
3For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold, 4And will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions. 5As for you, be calm and cool and steady, accept and suffer unflinchingly every hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fully perform all the duties of your ministry.”

One other miracle - The Lord has now released me into full time ministry with Peter and RoFMI. Finally, a friend called me and said “It seems to me that this would simply have been impossible 2 years ago.”

Is there any more to say?

NB Sometimes there is a greater purpose to be served by Him taking them home to Himself that we may not know or understand. Probably, it serves His perfect will better this way and that He has plans for all of us that are actually better served by even allowing our loved ones to die. A GREATER PURPOSE – GOD’S GREATER PURPOSE – NOT OURS.

© Chris Bennett 2009