Violence and Suffering: Why must we encounter them?

Amid the ever rising violence that plagues our cities and states, and the ever growing suffering that has always had a place in our societies...questions comes to my mind. If we serve an all powerful and loving God - why does He allow for us to encounter such strife in our lives if we are truly his beloved children? What parent wants to see their child suffering? What parent will not intervene when they see there child suffering and being a victim of violence?

I feel that there is no one concrete answer to these questions. There are no reasons that can speak to a child that is suffering in poverty. There are no reasons that can speak to the senseless killings that have raided the youth of the city of Chicago. You can't just tell a mother that has lost her six year old child to a drunk driver - "that it was just in God's will". But there are a few thoughts that I have that can speak to these situations and help us to keep a faith in God in the midst of our encounters.

Paul asked of God in II Corinthians 12 that the He would remove the infliction that was over his body three times. The Lord said no, but He didn't leave him there. He said, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Paul's response was, "most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." In our times of affliction God is the only one that we can lean on. If we don't put our trust in God...than putting our trust in man will fail us every time. I feel that sometimes we may have to suffer for a positive purpose. In order for one to learn and to get stronger and sharper...sometimes we'll just have to sweat and tear. Its like lifting weights. In order for your muscles to get bigger and stronger they have to go through rigorous trauma. Sometimes we suffer in order for us to attain higher heights and higher knowledges through our experiences. Also, I think one of the maybe most convincing reasons why we suffer is because its just an effect of natural order. We live in an imperfect world...so in an imperfect world that is full of free will...suffering happens.

Whatever the reasons are for ones suffering - we must not let go of our faith in God. Even though He is all powerful - I don't feel he intentionally inflicts violence and suffering all of the time. Its just a part of the free willed imperfect world that we live in. Whatever the infliction is - lets trust God. Violence and suffering is a big deal in society, but God is even bigger. Why not trust and depend on Him? For He is the only one that has the liberating power to assist us in our negative encounters with life.