Bad Things and Good People

Originally posted in August 2023.

“[She]...accepted that bad things rose out of thin air, in the middle of normal life- when you weren't even looking, even if you were being careful, or good.” ― Lorna Jane Cook, Outside Wonderland: A Novel

Sometimes, things happen to people that we just can't wrap our minds around or understand. Deaths, accidents, cancer, addiction.

A dear friend of mine - only 35 - had a stroke this week. And I won't lie to you - I spent a lot of time wondering how in the world something like that can happen to her when she is so healthy. She eats well, exercises, doesn't carry extra weight. But, she developed a somewhat rare health condition that led to a stroke.

Another very close friend of mine suffers from long-Covid. She's, at times, bedridden, riddled with long-term neurological symptoms and excess fatigue that just won't go away.

We all, unfortunately, know multiple friends and loved ones who have been overtaken by addiction and suicide, like a wave swept them up and carried them away against their will.

And, when Andrew and I were first married, we had a friend who was the absolute picture of health - an accomplished athlete - who just didn't wake up one morning.

Why?

None of us can answer that question this side of Heaven.

But if I believe that sometimes, bad things happen to good and healthy people, why am I so focused on health? If I believe that God is in control of our lives and our days, why work on our wellness? Why not just eat what we want, do what we want, etc.?

I'll make the case with a few, non-exhaustive arguments:

1. Caring for our well-being and maintaining good health is an act of gratitude and stewardship towards the gift of life that we have been given.

2. Good health enables us to have the physical and mental capacity to fulfill our purpose and make a positive impact on the world. By maintaining our health, we can maximize our potential and effectively serve others.

3. Our well-being directly affects our ability to care for and support those around us. When we prioritize our health, we are better equipped to serve and love others. It allows us to be present, energetic, and available to help those in need - or just be present with our families.

4. Poor health causes undue burden on our loved ones. It's really, really hard to care for the sick. And while those of us who have to care for sick loved ones do it with a smile and with a heart full of love, a happy heart can't erase the fact that it is just hard. Maintaining whatever health you can decreases the burden you place on others. Pursuing wellness is a practical way to love your family and friends.

   
   

We'll never quite know what our future days will look like or how many we have left. But we do have the power and freedom to care for our wellness and make however many days we'll live the best they can be.