God doesn’t remain aloof to all our evil and suffering. Instead, he chose to enter into it in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus endured suffering, pain, and agony for the purpose of eradicating it altogether. The author of Hebrews tells us, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we have, yet without sin” (Heb 4:15).

In other words, God’s given us an answer to our suffering. It’s Jesus. It’s not a philosophical argument or abstract idea. After all, who wants to hear philosophical reasons in their midst of their suffering? Nobody. Rather, we want people to be with us. We want their presence. And this is precisely what God has done for us. He’s joined us in the trenches of our pain and guarantees he will bring it to an end someday.

Similar to Joseph, here is another instance where great evil occurred (the most innocent man to ever live was betrayed and crucified on a cross), yet God has accomplished the greatest good through it (salvation to the world).