If God is perfect and master of the universe, why does He allow human suffering? Many of us have been asked that question and often by people who have encountered great personal sorrow. Whatever answer we give, surely it cannot be a trite or an easy one and perhaps, with humility, we have to admit we can only offer a partial one.

 But one thing I do know is that suffering, our own or others, draws either the best or the worse out of us.

My younger brother-in-law has recently died. A tragedy? Yes. He’s left a grieving wife, a twelve year old and two teenagers behind. What is that all about? I’ve asked the question myself.

But his death has resulted in a great outpouring of generosity from friends, family, work colleagues, neighbours and staff in the children’s schools. It’s brought out the best in many, as I said, a river of generosity and drawn  people close together. It’s shown up a quality of friendship that is … well, worth its weight in gold. 

I don’t understand the reasons for such suffering, the quick onrush of an aggressive and rare cancer no drugs or treatment could temper. But I do know much kindness followed, kindness that would not have shown itself in such a unique way if that tragedy had never occurred.

Perhaps the best way to answer that difficult question is not to try and explain why we think God allows such things but describe what we ourselves have experienced at such times. If one side of the coin is dark, dark, dark the other surely glints brightly, gold in the morning sunshine. What is in our hearts, whether good or bad, is drawn out, we are melted in our shared grief into oneness with our fellows and reminded of the things that really matter. 

And perhaps, too, we can add the experience of the suffering God Himself: “The cross is God taking on flesh and blood and saying, "Me too” ― Rob Bell.