Why do bad things happen?

"Why would God let this happen if He truly loves me?"  This is a question that often comes across the stages of our minds as life plays out and we face some struggles and challenges.  Sometimes it can even lead us to question the existence of God.  There are many answers that have been given to this over the years in attempts to help us accept that bad things can happen even while there is a God above.  

I've been thinking about this question today and have come to my own understanding of why bad things can happen when we have a loving God above.  It's precisely because He is a loving God that he allows things to happen.  While initially this may seem as though it's an odd answer, please permit me to explain.

In my belief system we are all children of our loving Heavenly Father.  He is no respecter of person loving all of us in the same way and with the same amount.  This love he experiences is also a level of love that we here on earth with our limited abilities can only barely begin to understand.  With this love He allowed us all to come here to earth to learn and to grow.  With this opportunity He granted us one thing that we could call our very own.  He gave this to all of us equally and with pure love.  That is our ability to make choices, or as most people know it, agency.  

God knew that when we came here to earth, with the veil over our eyes, many of us would have experiences that were not in line with what He would have for us.  He also knew this was a give He would not take away from any of us.  He also knew that with this agency some of us would make decisions that would affect those around us, sometimes in ways that no doubt make Him shed great tears of sorrow for the pain and suffering He has to watch. 

So what does this have to do with why He allows bad things to happen in this world and does love play a part?  When God gave us our gift of agency to use, He gave it to us all equally.  As part of giving us that gift He promised us He would not take that give away from us, no matter what.  Since God's love for us is perfect and equal it would go against His plans if He were to begin to stop only some of us from making choices while allowing others to continue with theirs.  Because of this perfect love for all of us, He sometimes has to stand back while watching some terrible things happen to some of His children caused by His other children.

Yet I err in saying He has to stand back.  For while He isn't able to stop someone from making a choice that may harm another, He is able to provide support and love to someone if they are but willing to open themselves up to Him.  This also is one of the benefits that comes with having agency.  God can willingly work in our lives to help support us through any difficult time if we will make the choice, using His gift to us, to allow Him in and speak comfort to our souls and strengthen us.  

So as odd as it may seem, I have found my answer.  Why does a loving God let bad things happen in the world?  Simply, it's because He loves us all perfectly.