Suffering is not God’s desire for us, but it occurs in the process of life. Suffering is not given to teach us something, but through it we learn. Suffering is not given to punish us, but sometimes it is the consequence of our sin or poor judgment. Suffering does not occur because our faith is weak, but through it our faith may be strengthened. God does not depend on human suffering to achieve his purposes, but sometimes through suffering his purposes are achieved. Suffering can either destroy us, or it can add meaning to our life. (quoted from Seeing Gray in a World of Black & White by Rev. Adam Hamilton)
