It is often taught that all good things come from God. And this comes right out of James 1:16. But then it is often followed with and if it is "not good"; that is if it is "bad", evil, or misfortune, it is not from God. This does not line up with the Bible.
The Bible says that God:
The bible also gives us some of the reasons God brings "bad" things upon us:
God's Word tells us: "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father …", James 1:17
We like this promise it makes us feel good. As some of us like to avoid the teaching in the Bible that followers of Christ will suffer, we like wise, like to avoid the teaching in the bible that God can an will bring "bad" upon us.
To put this in prospective let us start with some definitions: The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia defines good as: Possessing desirable qualities, beneficial, agreeable. Webster defines bad as: failing to reach an acceptable standard: UNFAVORABLE inadequate or unsuited to a purpose: DISAGREEABLE, UNPLEASANT : INJURIOUS, HARMFUL .
We often confuse "bad" with evil. But that is not what it means. "Bad" means something that we do not like; something we would probably avoid if we could.
God can bring "bad" upon us to achieve His "good" plan. He has done it to me more than once. But we do not understand God's ways. We can not foresee what will or will not happen in the future as a result of the events ("bad") that God chooses to bring upon us, or others.
God is sovereign! We and all that is in the World belong to him. It is his right to cause what ever event He may chose to happen. Just because it does not fit our concept of what our God should do or no do, does not obligate Him in any way to conform to our image of Him!
Let me share a series of events in my life that I not only thought were bad, I thought that they were horrific. I thought that at the time and I still think that.
About 15 years ago (1991) God took away all of my support systems. He took away my:
"He striped me bare". This was the darkest year of my life. God was all I had to lean on. During this year He introduced me to a circle of Godly men. He moved me from a "Country Club" Religion to a relationship with Him, where I began to submit my will to His and to be guided by the Holy Spirit. It was a turning point in my life. I most likely would not have changed if it were not for this experience. If you had ask me at the time, or even if you ask outside observers, if any of the above losses were "bad" all would have said surely these are "bad" .
In reality "God's plan was good" Although it was very painful and most unpleasant, I would not have it any different (It would have been better if I had learned the lessons earlier, and in an easier way so I would not have gone through this, but I did not and God was determined to execute His plan.). As a result of these events I am much closer to God. I hear His voice (I did not do this before); He has given me dreams and visions (I did not have these before); He has given me His word (He did not do this before) to share and bless others (speak into their life); He is continuing to re-mold me in radical ways.
Some would say: Maybe that happens to people that are not God's children. God would not bring "bad" on His believers and disciples. 1 Kings 13:11 - 23 Tells of a "Man of God" who was deceived by a false prophet, who lied to him, that was killed "Because you have disobeyed the word of the Lord, and have not kept the commandment which the Lord your God commanded you,"
As a final observation: