A mother asked, "How can a God of love allow His children to suffer?"

"Do you remember," I asked, "when the doctor pulled a fishhook from your hand?"

"I do," she said, "for it hurt terribly."

"Wasn't your father there?" I asked. "He allowed it, even though he loved you."

"Are you saying," she wondered, "that because God loves me, He allows me to hurt?"

"Yes," I said. "The Bible says, 'We know that all things work together for good.' Not all things are good, but God makes all things work together for our good."

Suffering? Don't ask, "WHEN will I get out of this?" but WHAT will I get out of this?"