Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

It's a question we've all asked at some point—maybe through clenched teeth, maybe with tears in our eyes: Why do bad things happen to good people? It feels wrong, doesn’t it? We grow up learning that kindness is supposed to be rewarded, that doing the right thing earns you protection from life’s hardest blows. And yet, we see generous, honest, compassionate people facing heartbreak, illness, loss, or injustice. This isn't just a philosophical dilemma, it's a deeply human one. In this post, we’re diving into 12 possible reasons this painful paradox exists. Some are rooted in psychology, some in spirituality, some in plain old human nature. But each one might bring a little more clarity, and maybe even comfort, as you try to make sense of life’s tougher moments. 1. Life Isn’t a Scoreboard We often treat goodness like it’s part of some cosmic accounting system. Be kind, stay honest, help others—and good things should come your way, right? But life doesn’t work like that...