The Two Purposes of Evil by Mary E. Palshan

The evil that falls upon believers is ordained by a holy and wise God for our own good, remember, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose

 (Rom 8:28).”  And the evil that falls upon unbelievers in this lifetime is well-deserved punishment.  So God’s permitting evil is for two specific purposes 1) to use evil to sanctify the righteous and 2) to punish (in this life) the wicked.  No one deserves mercy at the hand of God; we all deserve evil.  So the unjust are getting their just desserts and the righteous are getting God’s favor of sanctification to make us fit for heaven.