Why does God let people suffer?

This seems to be a common question for people who are unbelievers and believers of Christ. So, why does God let people suffer? During my quiet time, I was reading some Beth Moore (of course) and this is the quote I came across. I had to sit and think about it for a bit and let God speak to me, but I really found it to be profound. It comes from Praying God's Word Day by Day (I love it- recommend it).

God's primary purpose in healing us from our hurts is to introduce us to new depths of relationship with Himself.

First, I love the word depth it seems to have no end which I think is cool. If we never suffer or experience hurt- how will our relationship grow and become deeper with our creator? Who will we (I) depend on or lean on when life gets hairy? Looking at suffering and pain from the perspective of a time of healing, growing, and changing, so that we can become more intimately involved with God is exactly what He wants. Why then does it take us (me) so long to get to the point of living in the moments with hope rather than crawling through them feeling hopeless?

Thank you God for my struggles, hurts, disappointments, and fears in this life. May I remember to continually give those things over to you, so that, I can experience the depths of your love and faithfulness.