This question is perhaps the oldest... and most personal... objection that people have to the Christian concept of God. If the Bible says that God is All-Loving and also All-Powerful... then how come there is so much pain, suffering, and evil in the world? Certainly an all-powerful being that truly loved us could save us from all the hurt and grief we face! Why would God allow innocent children to get cancer and suffer so horribly? Why doesn't God rescue people trapped in slavery and abuse? Why wouldn't God put an end to war and violence? And on and on the questions roll.
As we'll see: these aren't new questions. Even within the pages of the Bible, we see the people of God wrestle with this seeming contradiction in the character of God. Why DOES God allow so much suffering?!?
I know that personally, in watching my own daughter struggle with chronic pain and unrelenting seizures, this question almost destroyed by own belief in God. It is of vital importance that we understand the Bible's teaching on this topic - so that we can be strengthened ourselves, and be ready to give an answer to hurting people all around us. I think you'll find, like I have, that the Bible's answer to 'why does God allow suffering' is deeply hopeful and life-giving.
Jesus is calling us to be ready to give an answer... and then to live out that answer with our lives.