Explaining God and Natural Disasters

[Easy]

DS is 5 (and pretty bright).

We had a discussion the other evening which was pretty convoluted, but led to me saying "God is good and kind, and wouldn't hut people and animals". To which ds said "so why does he make earthquakes and volcanoes then".

HELP!!!

I always say that God can't always control natural disasters, but what he does do is try and save people - I try and pick up on various stories that always come out in the news about people who have survived against all the odds, and I say that God helped them. Its very hard sometimes to know the right thing to say isn't it? I try not to get into too deep a conversation if possible.

God helps us get through the difficult times. He never said he would 'stop' bad things happening, but that he would help people to cope with it.

Sure someone else will answer more thoroughly - but I'm in a rush and need to drop DS1 at nursery.