One of the reasons bad things happen to good people

The short answer clergy often give is "because of sin." Bad things happen as part of the general curse brought about by the fall, but the good news is that God can make good things out of the bad...

"If one has never suffered, one cannot understand what hope is." ~Martin Luther

"We can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." ~2 Corinthians 1:4

See also Romans 5:5. In other words, out of our greatest hurts and wounds (and our greatest mistakes and gravest sins) God can create our greatest effectiveness as His instruments and ministers to others. In plain English, whatever you've gone through or are going through- you can help others get through it too.