This is a question I think everyone who is thoughtful struggles with at some time in their life. Sometimes more than once. I have a friend who is about my age with three kids. She is a social worker like I am and an outspoken christian as I consider myself to be as well. Anyway about four years ago she learned she had breast cancer. After going through a round of chemo she was in remission for about a year, then at one of her checkups the doctors notices it was back again, only this time it had metastasized (if that's the right word) anyway it had spread and was spreading out of control. Her prognosis is not good, in fact unless she is miraculously healed, she will die. She is an excellent writer and conveys her thoughts to a group of us who have expressed a desire to support her in her struggle so she has shared more than once her desire to understand why God would do this; though she has a mature faith and understands the reason's aren't always for us to know, she is human and can't help but ask from time to time what purpose this will serve. I mean what about her husband and family? What will they do when she's gone? What good will they get from seeing her go through this? I know I am no one to question God, but there are times when I can't help but wonder, what in the world is He thinking?

Then I recall Job. Remember him? He is the one I think about when I start questioning God's intentions or motives. God sovereignty dealt with Job, though he was righteous by God's own statement, he allowed him to suffer-first he suffered the loss of family. Next he suffered the loss of his possessions, next he suffered the loss of his health, finally his wife. Then his "friends" came to him and basically accused him of sinning against God suggesting that is why all this bad stuff had come upon him when in reality that was not the purpose for the events that happened in His life. Rather, we are told in the Bible that the purpose was because God allowed it to happen. He is sovereign after all and can do what He wants and doesn't have to reveal His purpose to us. We get a glimpse of His purpose in the story of Job, but not the whole picture. God doesn't reveal to us why He allows these things to happen. He simply allows to see that He is allowing them to happen. He is in control. Always. Regardless of the circumstances He is in control. I take great comfort in that simple truth, though I confess I don't know why it comforts me to know this-it does.

So with my friend, I simply don't understand why God would allow this to happen. I don't believe it's because of something sinful she did-or because of something righteous she was supposed to do but didn't. I simply believe God is allowing it to happen to fulfill part of His perfect plan for her life and all who know her. Who knows how He will use this event to touch the lives of others. I know for certain He has already touched the lives of hundreds of people already through the writing of my friend. He has used her words to prick the hearts of people who otherwise would be hard towards the truth. This may sound harsh to some people, but if even one person were to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus through the sufferings of my friend, I suspect she would say it was all worth it. Because after all this present suffering is temporary, but life with our King is eternal.

Blessings to all who read this.