Your question is very similar to another question posted on our web site.  It read, “Why does a God of love allow evil?”   Unfortunately, this is a flawed premise since it implies we are in a position to say what is good and what is not good about God. We do not naturally know what is good because we are inherently not good.  So, how then can we judge God? 

Still, the question of evil persists, and we often hear the question "why?" in the aftermath of a tragedy such as this. But remember, when God created the world, He created it perfect. That included His creation of man. Yet, this "perfect" man was also given the freedom of choice, the ability to choose.  As a result of Adam's disobedience; sin, death and suffering became our natural tendency. Romans 5:12 states, "When Adam sinned, sin entered the entire human race. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned" (NLT). The evil in this world is a result of that original sin.

You may say, "Wait a minute, I didn't choose to sin. Adam did." Yet, the Bible teaches that we all have sinned (Romans 3:23). We are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we are sinners. We have a natural desire to do what is wrong. James 4:1 says there is a "whole army of evil desires at war within you." At the same time, God gave us absolutes to live by--standards that are found in the Bible, specifically the Old Testament law. When we make choices which contradict those absolutes and standards, sin is the result.

The choices we make usually impact more than just ourselves. The person who raped this precious young woman made a sinful choice, and in turn has caused unimaginable pain in her life and heart; and she now has to endure the persistent pain and heartache.

Since this young woman is a Christian, if she will run to the Lord, He will comfort her. She will find no sweeter fellowship with Him than at this time in her life. That's what Paul was saying in Philippians 3:10. We can know Him best through the sufferings we endure; through the "...fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death." II Corinthians 4:10 says, "Through suffering, these bodies of ours constantly share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies." We all experience suffering, some to a greater degree as in this case.

Jesus suffered unjustly, and this young woman has been allowed the same; with the hope she will completely rely on His comfort. A hope she has is to rest in the fact that the Holy Spirit literally lives in her, and He will meet with her right in the middle of all her suffering.

Over time she will begin to see what God will do to work good from her pain.  He promised He would.  One day she will be able to, "...comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which she was comforted by God" (2 Corinthians 1:4). We also pray her relationship with God will grow deep and she will know Him more. 

Isaiah 43:1-3 says, "But now, says the lord, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. "For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;"

It doesn't say we won't go through the waters, or the rivers, or the fire. He promised they would not overcome us because of who He is, our "Savior". God knows her pain. Jesus is "...acquainted with grief;" (Isaiah 53:3) Romans 8:28, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." The Holy Spirit inspired those words for her. 

Just as what Joseph said, "God turned to good what you [my brothers] meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people.” (Genesis 50:20)  God is already in the process of turning what was intended to be evil for this young woman into something good in her life. It will be difficult to see it now, but you can trust His promise. We may not always understand the "why's" of a certain tragedy, but we know "Who" will carry us through it.

The lyrics to a certain song helped me tremendously during an awful time of life recently.  I've included them with the hope they will encourage you also.

"The roots grow deep when the wind is strong. Well that old tree has a lot to teach me; Beaten by the wind; Taunted by the storms. And taller it grows as the roots beneath dig deeper…deeper. And the roots grow deep when the wind is strong. Well you tell your story well my friend, of confidence and courage. You speak of growth and change and life, And I’ll learn my lesson well, Yes, I’ll learn my lesson well from you; To stand and buffet the storm Knowing that my roots are deep and secure. And the roots grow deep when the wind is strong. Now perhaps some branches are gnarled, and perhaps some branches are broken too, But Lord, You are the soil, I’ll place my hope in You. I’ll not fear the winds, though they be adverse, My wounds will bleed as did yours, But may my roots grow deep through the seasons of life; May they be nourished by Your river, And may they grow forever deep When the wind… When the wind is strong."

May God bless you.