Why do evil things happen to good people?

[Xavier Perez-Pons]

We should not expect rewards in this world for being good people. Because the physical world is arbitrary. The reward will come later, once we have returned home, which is the spiritual world where we came from and where we will return when we die. There are bad people who are lucky in this life, and good people who have a hard time. That has always been the case. The sun rises every morning for both the good and the bad. An earthquake affects the good and bad people of a given region without distinction. Life does not discriminate between good and bad people. But true life, the one that awaits us after death, that does discriminate, you can be sure. So all the good deeds you do in this life will have their reward and the bad ones their punishment. But in due time.
But realize that, sometimes, the spiritual world intervenes in certain situations of the physical world. It is what has been called “miracles”: angelic or divine interventions that punctually, perhaps as a result of a prayer, interfere with chance.

[Busby]

Originally Posted by Xavier Perez-Pons

But realize that, sometimes, the spiritual world intervenes in certain situations of the physical world. It is what has been called “miracles”: angelic or divine interventions that punctually, perhaps as a result of a prayer, interfere with chance.

Perhaps you could give us a few examples - I've never seen or heard of any.

Originally Posted by Xavier Perez-Pons

We should not expect rewards in this world for being good people. Because the physical world is arbitrary. The reward will come later, once we have returned home, which is the spiritual world where we came from and where we will return when we die. There are bad people who are lucky in this life, and good people who have a hard time. That has always been the case. The sun rises every morning for both the good and the bad. An earthquake affects the good and bad people of a given region without distinction. Life does not discriminate between good and bad people. But true life, the one that awaits us after death, that does discriminate, you can be sure. So all the good deeds you do in this life will have their reward and the bad ones their punishment. But in due time.
But realize that, sometimes, the spiritual world intervenes in certain situations of the physical world. It is what has been called “miracles”: angelic or divine interventions that punctually, perhaps as a result of a prayer, interfere with chance.

I agree with what you say,though I could do with a few miracles at the moment.

[Dargor]

From my perspective, because Karma is bullsh#t. For a more detailed explanation, see the quote in my signature. But just wondering, what kind of ''reward'' awaits in the afterlife? Something akin to 72 virgins?

Originally Posted by Xavier Perez-Pons

The reward will come later, once we have returned home, which is the spiritual world where we came from and where we will return when we die.

Be the calm within the midst of whirlwind and the reward is in the here and now, regardless what's swirling around you.

Originally Posted by Xavier Perez-Pons

But true life, the one that awaits us after death...

True life is available now. No need to wait.

In Luke 17:20b-21, Jesus said, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst (or, within you.)” The kingdom is of Heaven is here with us now.

[Sunshine111]

Originally Posted by JustASimpleGuy

Be the calm within the midst of whirlwind and the reward is in the here and now, regardless what's swirling around you.



True life is available now. No need to wait.

In Luke 17:20b-21, Jesus said, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst (or, within you.)” The kingdom is of Heaven is here with us now.

I absolutely agree with this.

[Sunshine111]

Originally Posted by Xavier Perez-Pons

We should not expect rewards in this world for being good people. Because the physical world is arbitrary. The reward will come later, once we have returned home, which is the spiritual world where we came from and where we will return when we die. There are bad people who are lucky in this life, and good people who have a hard time. That has always been the case. The sun rises every morning for both the good and the bad. An earthquake affects the good and bad people of a given region without distinction. Life does not discriminate between good and bad people. But true life, the one that awaits us after death, that does discriminate, you can be sure. So all the good deeds you do in this life will have their reward and the bad ones their punishment. But in due time.
But realize that, sometimes, the spiritual world intervenes in certain situations of the physical world. It is what has been called “miracles”: angelic or divine interventions that punctually, perhaps as a result of a prayer, interfere with chance.

Genuinely "good people", act from their hearts, with love and have no expectations for any "good action" or "good" they do in others and the ability to bring joy or even a smile on the faces of others, they genuinely "do good" is their reward in this life and earth.

It feels heaven to be able to uplift and shift the energy and vibration of another just with your presence and meeting you for minutes, even to save a life.

"Lucky life" doesn't necessarily mean to have lots of money in the bank account or that another may wish for in the material world and does not have. I don't believe in luck or chance or coincidence anyway.

If life gives me sh*t then, I leave them out in the sun to dry and wait until they dry. When it does, I use it as food for the flowers or seeds of flowers I planted in my garden.

[Tuesday]

Karma is the key word here. Also probably the most misunderstood concept of them all.
You receive what is inside you, what is your intention, what is your level or clarity.
It's not the winning of the lottery or being famous that is the reward. Those big things have nothing to do with how good you are. If you are full of ****, you can't enjoy either of them. Or life in general. But you might receive them.
But if you do have a healthy body and mind and gratitude, you will enjoy a sunset as well as winning the lottery. You will also spread this joy to other people.
There are people who are paralyzed and still enjoy life. Why? Because joy of life isn't about how much you have, even though to most it has a big influence.
To me if i consider someone bad, it means they are going downhill in life, going about a path that eventually will make them sick. Negativity, hostility, jealosy, not enjoying the good things in life but always seeing the scary and the bad. These people are not bad, the real harm they are doing is to themselves. They get sick and can't enjoy life. I feel sad for them.
The good? They take whatever comes with an open heart and see the reward even bad times give you.

//Edit
For some reason i didn't get to read sunshine's reply before replying to this topic. But wholeheartedly agree with her/him.

“The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either -- but right through every human heart -- and through all human hearts. ... And even within hearts overwhelmed by evil, one small bridgehead of good is retained." ~ Alexander Solzhenitsyn

[Altair]

Good and evil according to whom?

That aside, lets give one example where the ''problem of *evil*'' is explored: Imagine you and a group of friends are in the jungle. A random mosquito bites you and a few days later you get sick. You go to the doctor and it turns out you got malaria. Now your friends did not catch the disease. Only you did. Maybe it is because they put DEET on their skin and you did not, or maybe it's because you exposed too much skin. Perhaps you simply smell more alluring to the mosquitoes. Maybe you were closer to that particular mosquito..

Now what happens next is humans start looking for *meaning*, for *purpose*. There must be a reason why you, and you are such a great guy (you help your grandma carry her groceries and you give to charity) yet this happened to you, and only you. The others did not catch a disease.

Bad karma? God's wrath? You been bad to the virus and the mosquito in a past life? Are you lacking in belief and does that make you feel guilt? Will you drop to your knees and proclaim your sins and wrong deeds in your life?

Just pause and think whether these are even relevant questions! Who is looking for a ''spiritual'' explanation, and why? Is it necessary? Does it make you sleep better at night?