Why?

I have a friend who is having a bad week. Now nothing really unusual there, we all do from time to time, but what makes this different is that he is finding it to be affecting his marriage and his faith. I don't know all the details, nor would I share them if I did, but he asked me the other day, "why does God allow stuff like this to happen". I don't think he is going through any major trauma, but he is struglling in a real way, no matter how small or large his current difficulties are, and really no matter what the problem is, who hasn't been there?

Who hasn't had this thought? I know the correct theological answer, or at least something like it, but somehow providing that didn't feel right to me. It also didn't feel right to just say, "oh we all go through that", or something trite like that. In fact what I did say was, well nothing. I listened and tried to share the question without going through the answer. He is a smart guy and already knows all the Church answers to the question, but that doesn't mollify his pain. It doesn't make him feel better, it doesn't help in any real way. I am not gifted in this kind of thing, my friends will tell you how I am not into the "fuzzy"stuff like counseling. The thing is, I like this guy and I want to help, but I know that I can't, what I can do, just about all I can do is listen, empathize and pray for him.

I really don't even want to think about the answer, just really feel that question. I am in awe of people who suffer and never question, at least I think I am. Actually as I think about this, I suspect that they are either not expressing their feelings, or they are a different species of human than me. I feel like there is value in asking questions, and sharing suffering. We all, or at least most of us, feel that pain from time to time.

In the end, I don't think I helped my friend. That makes me sad, and I wonder "why does God allow stuff like this to happen".

Hmmmm...