When Bad things Happen to Good People

Nicole and I have suffered several job related setbacks in recent years; the most recent happening just this past week.  As a pastor, people might assume that I have some fancy answer ready to go for such situations, like "don't worry, God will work it all out in the end".  I don't.  I always cringe when I hear well-meaning people give a pep talk to those who are suffering from a loss (esp. after the death of a loved one).  Not only does this approach make light of the very real emotions that person is feeling, but it also casts God in a light that does not reflect the true nature of the situation.  Make no mistake, God does indeed know that our sorrow or pain is real.  God doesn't want you to pretend that you're not hurting, or put on a happy face in order to appear a "good" Christian.  That's foolishness.  There is indeed a time for sorrow (ask Solomon, he wrote it), and a reason for tears (Jesus wept at Lazarus' tomb).  We live in a fallen world full of pain, disease, sin, and death.  Isn't there plenty of reasons why Christians should feel sorrow too? 
So now you're asking, what's the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian in terms of sorrow?  The answer is simple: the Christian may feel sorrow today, and it may last for a while, even years; but the Christian has HOPE in the future.  The Christian knows that God is indeed in control (regardless of today's circumstances), and that ultimately, God will work for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28).
So when my wife asks me, "when is this going to end?" "why is this happening to us?" I don't pretend to offer answers, nor do I try to be a cheerleader; sorrow is real, troubles are real, pain is real.  To minimize them is un-Christian, but so is despair.  Because we know that our souls are safe in God's hands, we can endure far worse than this.  Because we know how blessed we are by God, we can be thankful in far worse than this.  The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord.