Polly sat, keeping her backbone ramrod straight. “Mother, why does God let bad things happen to good people─I mean, not just good people but good Christians?” She brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. “How can you say He’s faithful and good when He allows bad things to happen?”

            “What raised such serious doubts in your mind?” Mother’s brown eyes darkened. ”What happened?”

            “Nothing happened. Just a book I’m reading.”

            After a long, thoughtful pause, Mother took Polly’s hand. “Florence, God never promised that things would go well for us if we loved Him and obeyed Him. In fact, we’re told just the opposite.”

            Polly’s eyebrows lifted, as Mother patted her hand. “Scripture says, ‘Many are the afflictions of the righteous,’ and ‘In this world you shall have tribulation.’ But God does promise to go through trials with us and give us the strength we need.”

            Polly frowned and withdrew her hand.

            “As for saying that God is faithful and good, those qualities are part of God’s character. We evaluate all that happens in light of those qualities, rather than evaluating God’s character in light of what happens to us.” She smiled. “He remains faithful, good, just, kind and sovereign no matter what we’re facing.”

            “What does ‘sovereign’ mean?”

            “It means God is ultimately in control of what happens in our lives. It’s the reason He’s able to keep His promise in Romans 8:28 that ‘all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose’.” She reached out to take Polly’s hand again. “While He may not prevent bad things from happening, He promises to bring good from them.”

            “How can God possibly bring good from someone losing something precious to them?”

            Mother leaned over and stroked her daughter’s cheek. “It’s a matter of trust, dear,” she said gently. “It’s a matter of trust.”