God is not cruel but we misread His intentions and actions just as a child misreads his parents firmness or teachers strictness which is sometimes necessary to keep us on the right track of growth and progress.
Yet He allows us enough freedom of choices and when we misuse it then suffering comes.
At the same time when we go through suffering even due to our wrong actions, it is He who helps us to go through it and, if we have sufficient faith, even supports us and reduces the suffering.
Affectionately,
Alok da.
