Definition and Understanding:
The concept of "bad luck" is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible. However, the idea of misfortune or adverse circumstances is addressed throughout Scripture. From a biblical perspective, what is often perceived as "bad luck" can be understood as trials, tests, or the consequences of living in a fallen world. The Bible emphasizes God's sovereignty and the belief that nothing happens outside of His divine will and purpose.

Biblical Context:
1. Sovereignty of God: The Bible teaches that God is in control of all events, both good and bad. In Isaiah 45:7, God declares, "I form the light and create darkness; I bring prosperity and create calamity. I, the LORD, do all these things." This verse underscores the belief that what may appear as "bad luck" is within God's sovereign plan.

2. Trials and Testing: The Bible often describes difficult circumstances as tests of faith. James 1:2-4 encourages believers to "consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." These trials are seen as opportunities for spiritual growth rather than mere misfortune.

3. Consequences of Sin: Some adverse events are the result of sin, either personal or communal. Galatians 6:7 states, "Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return." This principle suggests that some negative experiences are the natural consequences of sinful actions.

4. The Fallen World: The Bible acknowledges that the world is marred by sin, leading to suffering and hardship. Romans 8:22 notes, "We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time." This groaning reflects the brokenness of the world, which can manifest as what some might call "bad luck."

Examples in Scripture:
1. Job: The account of Job is a profound exploration of suffering and divine sovereignty. Job experiences immense loss and hardship, not due to personal sin, but as part of a divine test. Job 1:21 records his response: "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD."

2. Joseph: Joseph's life, as recounted in Genesis, includes betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment. What might be seen as "bad luck" is ultimately revealed as God's providential plan to save many lives. Genesis 50:20 states, "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people."

3. Paul: The Apostle Paul faced numerous hardships, including shipwrecks, beatings, and imprisonment. In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, he writes, "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me."

Theological Implications:
The Bible encourages believers to trust in God's wisdom and goodness, even when faced with seemingly random or unfortunate events. Romans 8:28 assures, "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." This perspective invites believers to view life's challenges as part of a larger divine narrative, rather than mere chance or bad luck.Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Topicalbible.org

Proverbs 10:3
The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casts away the substance of the wicked.
Topicalbible.org

Matthew 5:45
That you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Topicalbible.org

Jeremiah 12:1
Righteous are you, O LORD, when I plead with you: yet let me talk with you of your judgments: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? why are all they happy that deal very treacherously?
Topicalbible.org

The Broken and Contrite Heart
... A dark night may come to any one of us, a night of darkness upon darkness, and sorrow
upon sorrow, and bad luck upon bad luck; till we know not what is going ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xvii the broken and.htm

The Council of Constance (Ad 1414-1418)
... It seemed like a token of bad luck when, as he was passing over a mountain on his
way to the council, his carriage was upset, and he lay for a while in the snow ...
/.../chapter xxiv the council of.htm

True Prudence
... free generosity a thousand things for which you never dream of asking him; and believe
that in all the chances and changes of this life, in bad luck as well as ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xxx true prudence.htm

The Next Morning, Diamond's Mother Said to his Father...
... What with anxiety about him, and bad luck, I've wished I were rid of him a thousand
times. It was only to be for three months, and here it's eight or nine.". ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 33 the next morning.htm

Pardon and Peace
... with vain regrets about the past"'Ah, if I had done this and that!' and vain fears
for the future, conjuring up in his mind all sorts of bad luck which may ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxix pardon and peace.htm

Chapter xxxviii
... His unexpressed thought, "lest he die too like his brethren," shows his attitude.
He believed Tamar was a woman who brought bad luck. ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxviii.htm

Against the Arians, and Concerning Himself.
... good friend, this is my misfortune, rather than my fault;"if indeed it be a misfortune;
and if it is against my will, I am to be pitied for my bad luck, if I ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxiii against the arians.htm

Our Attitude Toward his Sovereignty
... Take the case of Job once more. When loss after loss came his way what did he do?
Bemoan his "bad luck"? Curse the robbers? Murmur against God? ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter ten our attitude toward.htm

part 2
... reason for it; of course there is. The world calls it "bad luck": they know
no better, but we ought to! "Enough and More Than Enough". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/tithing/part 2.htm

Prayer.
... we die." Because they kept their faith in God, their lives were for the most part
lives of hardy and hopeful enterprise; cheerful always, in bad luck as in good ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon iv prayer.htm

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