Why Bad Things Happen to God's People: Making Sense of Trials and Tribulations in Your Life

by Derek Prince

Timeless Encouragement for the Challenges of Life

Have you ever

“If God loves me, why I am going through this trial?” or

“Why is there so much misery, suffering, persecution, and injustice in the world?”

God’s people still experience the challenges of life.  There is one factor, however, that sets people of faith apart—hope.  

Derek Prince, one of the twentieth century’s most trusted Bible teachers, invites you to face some of your most difficult circumstances head-on with hope.

In Why Bad Things Happen to God’s People, Prince shares timeless truths from the Book of Job that will keep you anchored during any storm.

You

Be informed... on the roles that Satan and sin play in life’s circumstancesBe equipped... to respond to fiery trials with Biblical faithBe assured… by embracing mysteryBe inspired... by the prophetic words of GodBe stabilized… through a fresh vision of God’s sovereignty and powerBe comforted… through encountering God’s holinessBe encouraged… as you remember God’s relentless plan to reveal His goodness to youBe strengthened… to wait for God’s abundant provisionBe comforted by resting in the Truth of God’s goodness, power, and love—no matter what challenges may come up against you!

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Religion, Christian Non Fiction, Reference, Self Help

178 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 20, 2017

About the author

Derek Prince (1915-2003), was an International Bible teacher and founder of Derek Prince Ministries International, wrote more than fifty books.
He was born in India of British parents. Educated as a scholar of Greek and Latin at Eton College and Cambridge University, England, he held a Fellowship in Ancient and Modern Philosophy at King’s College. He also studied Hebrew and Aramaic, at Cambridge University and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. His daily radio broadcast, Derek Prince Legacy Radio, still reaches listeners around the world.

Reviews

[Michael K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

We can all learn a thing or two about difficult times for all of us. God never promised us a rose garden, Jesus actually promised us trials and tribulation throughout our lives. There are those who seem to have all things going their way and yet have no connection with God at all. There are those of us who manage our way through this life as though we are all related to some guy named Murphy, you know "Murphy's Law"? (Yeah, I'm that guy!) And yet, we are constantly praying to God wondering "Why me??" It is not necessarily judgment or any other God sent travesty. It is all just life. But God loves us all and does want the best for each and every one of us, but sometimes we are sent a curveball because we have gone astray. That curveball is only intended to set us back onto the proper path. Just remember that God lets the sunshine on both the good and the bad, and lets the rain fall upon the righteous and the wicked, alike!

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author takes us through the life of Job. The circumstances in our life are unique to us and we dare not compare our life to others. God has a special purpose for each of us and we may or may not ever know why some things happen. We need to keep on trusting through it all. A good read for everyone.

[Harmony]

(No rating)
This book was a study in Job, primarily, which was nice as I had already read it! Nothing completely new that I learned from this book, but what I really wanted was to learn about God’s word, and I did :D. Also, although the subject matter wasn’t new to me, the study of Job was really helpful. Personally I found Job a little confusing upon first reading it (okay, a lot confusing) but now I finally understand it!

[Genevieve Florez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book of Job explained

I have never read any of Derek Prince's books before
I really believe it was God that brought me to this book. I am a Christian believer. I have never had the book of Job opened to my eyes before like Mr Prince opened it. I thank God that He brought me to this book. It has opened a new level of enlightenment to my walk with Jesus.

[Dan Hamman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learning that God's ways are beyond our understanding.

Job suffered losses that are beyond belief. Through the losses and the bad advice of well meaning friends, Job learns that God's ways are not our ways and that they are beyond our understanding. From this we learn that the life of a believer is about FAITH. And even that faith is a gift from God.

[1verylovedmom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book. Although, we will never fully understand why bad things happen to God's people this book helped me to be okay with that. It helped me to cope with the not knowing why. It helped me to understand that I need to trust God and His sovereignty and challenged me to seek Him to help deepen my trust in faith in Him. God is God and I need to trust that He is in control and He has a plan. I highly recommend this book. I am a person who has to know why. I get frustrated when I don't understand why something happened or why someone did something etc. This book did a great job of giving a Biblical perspective of God's sovereignty as well as who I am in the grand scheme of things. I may never know why but I can trust God who has it all under control.

[Poiema · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author tells us right up front that he doesn't have all the answers to the mystery of suffering, but has made one of the best attempts I have read. I particularly enjoyed his excellent and unique analysis of the Biblical book of Job. The author provided no pat answers, but contributed fresh insights that I found edifying.

Here are a few quotes:

"One of the primary lessons I have learned from Job is that we can never understand all of God’s dealings with us or anyone else. Therefore, do not get discouraged if matters are not clear to you."

"the real basis for most of our problems is mistrust of the goodness of God."

"Maturity is not becoming more clever. It is becoming more trusting."

[Patrice Doten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, mature look at the book of Job. Without sacrificing any of the exacting thoroughness and precision which is his hallmark, Derek Prince uses very approachable language to walk readers through some of the densest passages of Scripture, and makes them accessible. I could hardly put it down and anticipate this will be a volume I regularly reread.

[Zandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

JOB broken down.

The way he breaks the book of Job is awesome. He gave a different outlook which was truly amazing. I never experienced it been taught that way.

[Jacqui Harbinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how these lessons to apply were included at the end of this book!

First learn to trust - Proverbs 3 verse 5
Second God maintains his sovereignty - God does what he wants, when he wants, the way he wants and asks no one's permission.
Third, legalism - rules don't make us righteous (for instance to be a real Christian you should be reading the bible from cover to cover every year)
Fourth, politics - there are more bad people than good people in our world. We need the gospel to change bad people into good people quickly (how? By preaching the gospel more)

Remember Jesus only ever condemned the religious people and they were the only one who made problems for him.

Fifth, God deals with individuals. He has a specific detailed plan for every life. Don't measure yourself by other Christians.
Sixth, God is tireless in pursuing his purposes. He saw something unique in Job but he needed to make some changes first!

[Rosanne V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of the Book of Job

It was difficult to write this review given the depth of accomplishment if the author throughout the world.

Being directly involved in spiritual guidance and formation, I do feel that this was an overview and could be used as a Bible Study on the Book of Job.

It does address "why bad things happen" but in a very general way in light of Job's experience. I feel that if someone was hurting and started to read this, they might not finish it.

I read this because I read of the author's personal experience in WWII.

I would recommend this book to those who are learning about the Book of Job.

[{Kate} · Rating 3 out of 5]

Literally just read the book of Job and you’ve read this book.

I didn’t realize this was going to be a Job study book cause it didn’t describe it that way on the cover and I didn’t read the blurb but it was just 170 pages of Job.

I don’t mean to sound harsh and I’m not mad because it “didn’t tell me why bad things happen to Gods people” it just felt like I was being spoon fed the book of Job instead of giving any real insight into the title of the book.

Wasn’t a bad read, I just felt like it was titled wrong and misleading. Had it been titled more along the lines of “study of the life of Job and the lessons we can learn from him” I think it would’ve been more effective.

[Leonor Acosta]

Good book

Loved it so much read it in one day. It helped me understand a lot of questions i have for the Lord and my takeaway from this is to not question God in my circumstances the Lord knows what he is doing in my life. As hard as life has hit me i will take it because I know the Lord knows how much I can handle

[D'anah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional

I love his style. Always good to make you stop and ponder. Like that is truly based on Scripture, not conjecture. Best of all, you can learn from it and apply it to help you "endure unto the end", to receive the Blessing.
For me, it's an outstandingly useful book. May it be so for you too.

[DWood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helps us walk through scriptures that confirm our ability to remain strong in our faith and hope in God even through challenging times. I appreciated the explanations and examples from Job's life and woukd recommended this to anyone who is struggling with why God allows tragedy, loss, and varying trials to occur in our lives.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Jesus

Minister Prince is an outstanding educator on scripture. Praise God that he has anointed Minister Prince to bring forth so many great resources for the sons and daughters of God.

[Serena Koh · Rating 4 out of 5]

"but we should not help Satan do his job. He is the accuser of the brethren and we do not need to assist him. Please consider this if you have become an accuser of leaders, ministries, and churches—you may need to repent. Just remember that when you are engaging in such accusation, you are doing Satan’s job—and he does not need your help."

[Carol Schavet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Job made alive!

I thought I understood Job until Derek Prince gave so many more insights on the devil's presence in heaven in the throne room for one and levitation being Satan for another!

[Jacqueline Schroeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Derek Prince has a Simple, "Easy to Grasp", Style of The Book Job...The Technique he utilizes to Break Down the More than 3000 Year Old Book, for us to understand in Such

[Jim Rickard · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on the subject and Job

This was one of the best books on Job and suffering I've read. He takes the scripture and applies it to our lives today.

[Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heavy dose of Pastoral encouragement and a good look at the life of Job. A Refreshing, insightful, meaningful read.

[Dana Remisovsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!

[Nancy A Heaps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed

This book was easy to read and understand. It caused me to look at my trials from a different perspective

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Good read. This author gives me a greater understanding of the book of Job from the Bible it is much easier to understand. I recommend.

[Ruth Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Study of Job

Very good explanation of the book of Job. Anyone should find this study informative and relative to living every dsy.

[Robert D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unpacks Job

Many insights, another worthwhile resource. Not over complicated or oversimplified. A good read for someone who already has some knowledge of scripture.

[Jimmy Alty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I learned quite a bit from this book. Several answers were answered clearly with bible references. My faith in God has grown much deeper.

[Mary Thoresen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting study of the book of Job.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

personal problems and the book of Job

This book is a Bible study of the book of Job. There was so much amazing stuff that I highlighted a lot

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking

To read through Job and then this book was not easy but was worth it! It made sense and makes you really think.