Why Do Bad Things Happen

Category: Parenting Tools

​Life is hard!
In each person’s life, there will be a mixture of difficult situations and pleasant situations. We can plan for some of these moments, but others take us completely by surprise. Often, difficulties are just a part of nature. Other times, difficulties are a result of another person’s behavior. Either way, it can create stress and pain. The world is not perfect and people are not perfect. Sooner or  later, every person will have to face hardship of some kind, even children. During these stressful, often painful moments it is healthy to have a support base of encouraging people. More importantly, we need to remember that even without friends we are not alone. God‘s Word tells us that God is  available and at work. This tool can help you to help your child learn healthy coping skills.
 
Here is a list of some good things that can happen in life:
__ Having a baby in the family
__ Having parents you love
__ Having parents love you
__ Getting a pet
__ Being healthy
__ Getting good grades
__ Having a good friend
 
Check the things that have happened to you and then write or tell about other good things that have happened to you: 


Take time to thank God now.


 
Here is a list of some bad things that can happen in life:
__ Car accident
__ Family fighting
__ Sickness in the family
__ Death in the family
__ A child is hurt by a grownup
__ A person gets lost

Check the things that have happened to you and then write or tell about other bad things that have happened to you:

Read and talk about Psalm 46:1.

 
Take time to pray for some of the things you are having trouble with.


Sometimes the bad things that happen to us make us have confused feelings. Some times we don’t want to tell anyone about them. Here are some of the feelings people have during times like this:
__ Ashamed
__ Sad
__ Angry
__ Hurt
__ Afraid
__ Feel like hiding
__ Feel like running away
__ Feel like screaming
__ Feel like hurting someone
 
Have you ever felt any of these
feelings? Write down, or tell about other feelings you have when bad things
happen.
 
Pray to tell God how you feel and to ask for help with your feelings. You can also tell a safe adult (like a parent or teacher) and they can help you to respond to your feelings in healthy ways.