Why Does God Allow Suffering?

The book of Job is the ultimate answer to the question of why there is suffering and sorrow in the world we live in, why God doesn't "do something about it." God allows Job to be tested, to experience loss after loss, of finances, of health, loved ones. Job's friends tell him God rewards righteousness and punishes evil. Job protests he's done nothing wrong. While he's right in believing his sorrows aren't directly linked to his behavior, he's very wrong to claim to be without sin. Even the most "righteous" of us is deserving of hell and it's only God's grace and mercy and Christ's sacrifice on our behalf on the cross that provides us a way out. His life for ours.
Finally God comes to Job personally and tells him in a nutshell, God is bigger than he is. God made all things, God holds all things together. God's existence is eternal, His knowledge infinite. The answer He offers for suffering is Himself. Trust Him. Allow the difficulties to work in you for good. Not an easy answer. But a Mighty one.