Many of the bad things we experience are the result of living in a fallen and sinful world. We can't help those kinds of things. Sometimes, bad things happen and we are caught up in them by no fault of our own. There are bad things, though, that we sometimes find ourselves in exactly because of the sin we have committed. You know how that goes....You reap what you sow. James tells us in chapter 5 that some of us are sick because we sin. So, in the grand scheme of bad things, there are those bad things that happen as a result of livining in a fallen world and then there are those things that happen because we invite them to happen because of our sinful behavior.
We can not alter the course of those things that are out of our control, i.e., natural disasters; terrorists attacks; violent crime; etc... We CAN alter those bad things that we call consequences by altering our behavior. When we choose to do what God has told us to do, we invite his blessings. When we choose to disregard what God has told us to do, we invite his discipline and confusion follows.
I've had friends who simply couldn't understand why they could never have a meaningful relationship. Yet, they continued to enter into relationships based on physical attraction, greed, convenience and the like. You've known people who have had financial issues and don't know why; yet, they continue to live beyond their means and make poor choices. The point is this: You reap what you sow. Hopefully, you'll take this encouragement to walk in obedience rather than disobedience so that you can live in God's blessing and not his discipline. Share this thought with someone you know who needs to hear it. Blessings!