Why do bad things happen to good people and christians?

How many times have you read the Bible?
Read it cover to cover once a year for a few years; pray about the parts you struggle to understand and let the Holy Spirit give you wisdom and understanding. That is going to be a much better curriculum than any Bible college you can attend.

Anyway, maybe your calling is not to be a preacher anyway.
When I first believed I started doing the work of an evangelist; it didn't work too well for me and got a bit discouraged and even somewhat angry at God.

Turns out; he had other plans for me.

Just wait; and trust in him; lean not upon your own understanding.

And yes he loves you; as much as a parent who loves his children doesn't give him what he wants, but rather gives him what he needs; even if that mean the kid will be mad at him for a season.

Not as much as I should, my parents raised me to sit in front of a tv and computer all day and squander my time.

It's a horrible life style I struggle to break.

We will see what happens,.

That is true.

I agree Job is a perfect example. Also I am 16 and was taken from my family at 8 and a half nearly half my life I have missed my real family but guess what although I miss my family I am in a better place because I was taken away for being homeless so some times bad things happen to make other important parts of life better. Now I am adopted and will be able to see my family this summer after all these years.

Sounds like when Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery and after time in jail for a crime he didn't commit became a chief head of state second only to Pharaoh himself.

You are a senior member I am new here where would I look to discuss with people my age that is my current goal to bring Jesus to people my age who do not know exactly what to believe?

Hey DuckDuckDoggie.
It would be the teen forum.

I am new here and still learning about God. I do not know all the right Christian answers. I can only answer from my own experience. I know when things are good and life is easy, I learn very little. When bad things happen and when I am hurt or struggling, these are the times I learn and grow the most. They are hard times. Life is a cruel teacher. I feel devastated. But I know I would not truly grow if not for these times.

You are right!

Psalm 119:67,71,75-76 KJV
Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. [71] It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. [75] I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. [76] Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.

When you are afflicted, run to Jesus. Seek his face more and you will receive wisdom and truth. I don't know what you're going through, you can share if you like, but God intends all our sufferings to make us grow in him and rely fully to him.

Dear Honeybee, I commend your honesty about not being a believer. I did not come to Jesus till I was 22! I looked to self not to others to solve my problems, because I am not a trusting soul! I wanted to make my own mistakes and solve them myself and as you so well stated learn from them. But there was a big problem I did have with this!! No HOPE!! (Rom 15:13!!!)

Looking always to expect something bad happening to me around the next corner! I heard a knock on my spirit sis(Rev 3:20-22) a brother in the Lord said to me mark only you can open the door I can only show you where the door is, which I have many times to you in the past. I needed to be alone, so I went into a mope closet while I was in college, it was there while I sat on top of a bucket and started to cry uncontrollably. and I don't cry!!

Jesus arrived there Honeybee to free me of myself and give me what I needed the most HOPE!! I encourage you to trust in Jesus my dear Honeybee, I know how hard it is, cause now at my tender age of 70 I still am far from perfect!! BUT!!!! I no longer have any fear, nor do I expect bad things to happen to me, the love that Jesus has for each of us goes beyond what any of us can comprehend. We are still going to make mistakes, I have made plenty since Jesus found me, but Jesus loves you no matter what!!

His love unlike the world can never become lost!! And that my dear sister brings great comfort to me. Find a good church because we all need support, people who are not perfect but that really do care about each other, ask the paster when you think you fit in where he is looking to take the flock? GET INVOLVED!!!

You have great gifts others need!! Church is not about what you can get out of it!! It is about how you can bring comfort and courage to another, and when you perform this dear sister, your life will become much more fulfilled!! Blessing to you to consider these words from the very least of the brethren!