Highlights from the past few weeks
When I first heard of the book by Rabbi Harold Kushner that deals with the issue of suffering, I thought the title was "WHY bad things happen to good people" but I learned that the title is actually "WHEN bad things happen to good people." So I do not ask God why. I understand that I do not understand the bigger picture other than God allows (and I choose that word carefully, He is not a puppet master) bad things to happen because it is part of His design. What I pray for when bad tings happen is God's grace, strength, and assistance in persevering. I place my trust in Him but not always right away. I sometimes need time to get there through a process of discernment and prayer.
Barbara, you are certainly recognizing that we need to change the question. Understanding the "Why?" is impossible. I like the idea of what do we do when circumstances are difficult, this opens the door for deeper discernment and prayer. I don't want to say too much about chapter 42 right now. but we are on the same track, pigeonhole God is dangerous.