Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

Why do bad things happen to good people? There are so many sides to this complex question. Entire books have been devoted to the topic. In the wake of recent events in Colorado and around the world, someone always raises the question, "How could God let this happen?"
One theory says it's to show God's glory as he strengthens us in our time of need. Really? God allowed millions to die in the holocaust, in the tsunamis, and others just so he could comfort the bereaved? What kind of God is that?
Another explanation goes something along the lines of, "We can't understand ways, so we must just find acceptance." This camp tends to turn to the book of Job for proof texting their cause. Yet, one of the glorious lessons of Job is that he doesn't accept what's happened! He objects rather profusely! It's his well meaning, but misinformed friends who harp on the need to just put up and shut up. Or worse, they tell him it's his fault! He had to have sinned in order to deserve this, right?
Still another school of thought says there's no such thing as a good person. The Bible clearly states that we all live in the natural state of sin. Since we are all sinners, we cannot be good people. Though this is true, we ALSO believe God is good. And he forgives and restores us by grace. Would this God who sent his only son to die for us even though we didn't love him suddenly decide just to capriciously obliterate us because we are sinners? I don't think so.
Then there's the one I dislike the most. This one goes something like this: It's God's will. Really? God willed all those people to die just for attending a movie premiere? Really? Not the God I know and love and trust my life and my living to. "God's punishing those people." For what? "God's teaching them a lesson." Seriously? I thought "all scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching...so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NRSV). What else do we need to be taught?
So, why do bad things happen to good people? Here's my belief. It has three parts.
1. We all have free will, and we are all sinners. God doesn't swoop down and zap us each time we are about to sin. We have a choice. Each day we choose between sin and no sin many times. And many of us choose sin.
2. Evil is real. It exists. Satan, the devil, whatever you call it, evil is real. To ignore or deny it is to set yourself up for failure and a whole lot of pain. Some people choose evil. They may be damaged, insane, hurt, abused, whatever the reason, they choose evil. God does not stop them. They, too, have free will. And until the moment they draw their last breath, God in Christ will continue to reach out to them in love.
3. There are natural consequences to our actions when we choose to sin. God doesn't put up a shield of protection around everyone to keep our sin from affecting them. If you drive recklessly and you kill someone, God didn't cause them to die. But he didn't stop it from happening. It was the natural consequence of your sin of reckless driving.
Bad things happen. Period. Sometimes good people are there. Sometimes bad people are there. Sometimes no one is there. Always God is there. And I believe, he weeps.