Why Does God Allow Us to Suffer?

"WHY?" That three-letter word is so common when disasters strike. It is the final question when a plane full of happy travelers disappears without trace. Or when war or natural disasters happen. Or when epidemics exact their toll on humans. Or when a rapist, or robber goes on rampage. Or perhaps when children are abused by persons who are supposed to be their guardians. Or when a loved one drops dead. One bewildered Malaysian government official probing the sudden disappearance of Malaysia MH 370 plane carrying 239 people said: “We don’t know why this happened.”

Sometimes the "WHY?" is elongated to "WHY? GOD WHY?" That suggests the person acknowledges that God allows evil. If so, why does He permit wickedness and suffering?