I don’t honestly know all the reasons why some people seem to have it harder in life than others. The Bible says evil is a mystery, and only in Heaven will we fully understand why things happened to us the way they did.

But I do know this: God doesn’t arbitrarily condemn some people to a lifetime of sin and hardship and disappointment. Evil doesn’t come from God; it comes from the devil, and it comes also from the twisted world we live in. It comes as well from our own hearts, because by nature we resent God and want to run our own lives. The Bible says, “Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed” (James 1:14).

Life is never easy; every one of us faces hardships and disappointments. The real issue, however, is how we react to them. Do we grow bitter and turn against God—or do we turn to Him, realizing that we need His strength and help in the midst of life’s storms? May the psalmist’s words become yours: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4).

If you have never done so, ask Christ to come into your life today. Then get in a church where Christ is preached and the Bible is taught, and ask God to help you follow His Word every day. The Bible says, “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:6).