Suffering for the Progress of the Gospel

Is there any meaning in this world? Is there any purpose to all of the suffering and pain? Are injustices simply our problem to solve? Do you think that God is at the mercy of the world or the world is at the mercy of God? It is easy to think that when God’s people are being persecuted and beset with manifold obstructions that we are but victims and the gospel is bound by our weaknesses. Is this true? How should we understand such things?