Why does God allow suffering? Part 2

Why does God allow suffering? Part 2, The philosophical response

In part 1 on the topic of suffering, I discussed the Christian response from the personal, emotional perspective. This is the most beneficial response yet there are those who want an answer from the more philosophical perspective. It is interesting that those who criticize Christianity from this viewpoint are usually not suffering themselves. For those who are in the middle of suffering, many times their faith grows even stronger.
The argument against God from evil is like this: if God is good, if God is powerful then suffering would not exist. Since suffering obviously exists, there is no God. The problem with this argument is that it does not see the into the future. The Christian affirms all three statements: God is good, God is powerful and suffering exists. How can this be? The response to question is that it is possible for good to come from something bad. Of course bad is not good but from suffering there can be a greater good that comes. If some of the reasons for suffering are mysterious to us, this is because we cannot see the future. In everyday life, most people are willing to suffer if they see a greater good. It is when we cannot see benefit from suffering that we are most distressed. From the Christian worldview, we can make three statements:
1. God has a good, but not fully revealed, purpose for allowing suffering.
2. At a future time, God will display His glory and put an end to suffering.
3. At that future time, the good that is revealed will be greater than the suffering which came before.
This explanation can be hard to accept because there is so much suffering in this world. It is at this point when we have to step forward in faith. It is when we doubt that good can come from so much evil that we are called to believe the promises of God. Is there another choice? Yes, you can believe in atheism. Atheism says that life is just a cosmic accident and there is no meaning, no purpose in suffering because life has no purpose. Atheism is an unlivable worldview. There is no need for despair. Turn to God and trust in Him. Step forward in faith. Trust in God's promises and you will not be disappointed.