By There’s a fear many people carry when they suddenly (or consistently) face something bad, like a diagnosis, a loss or a financial setback.
What did I do wrong?
Sadly, you don’t have to look far to hear answers that only reinforce this. For one, really “religious” people have a reputation for being sin inspectors and pain diagnosers.
I think of a friend who lost his mom to cancer as a teenager. Instead of comfort, he received blame. People searched his life for imperfections and decided he—at 15 years old—must be the reason tragedy struck.
As if suffering always needs a culprit.
But this is an ancient mistake. Job’s friends did it. Jesus’ own disciples did it when they saw a man born blind. “Who sinned?” they asked. Jesus answered with one word that still sets people free today: Neither (John 9:1–3).
My friend, when life isn’t going according to plan, remember this: Your pain is not proof that you failed.
It doesn’t mean you lack faith. It doesn’t mean God is disappointed in you.
Jesus was honest: this world includes trouble, even for faith‑filled people (John 16:33).
And even when you have made mistakes, what’s happening isn’t punishment either.
The cross settled that.
Scripture is consistent: God is no longer counting sin against us (2 Corinthians 5:19). Jesus dealt with it once and for all, revealing peace between God and people (Colossians 1:20).
So if you’re facing hardship right now, don’t add shame to your pain. It isn’t judgment. It isn’t payback.
Sometimes, it’s simply the result of a broken world. Yet one with a God who’s with you and loving you right in the middle of it.
P.S. Going through something right now? I put together my Strong in the Struggle series to help. It’s simply the encouragement and wisdom I wish someone had handed me in my own hard seasons. Get all 5 messages today for your donation of any amount.