The Problem of Evil combined with the problem of Free Will

[Aegon]

Test... development... what's the difference? Whatever you choose to call it, why should it be easier, right from the very get-go of life sometimes, for some people to find God and keep God than others? Ie why should some people be born with a metaphorical silver spoon in their mouth, in relation to life and/or in relation to God, whereas others are born into misery and real hardship from the outset? Even if we accept what you say... about being born unsaved in either case and having salvation as a free gift on offer to both... why should it be easier for one over the other to accept that free gift, when the only difference is the luck of the draw, where and what situation they've been born into?

See bold.  One person's life was significantly harder than the other, but why would you say it is easier for one to accept the gift? The outcome of the story was that Jamal was angry toward God about the hardship. God did not cause his suffering, so the source of his anger was that God did not intervene. But given the free will of everyone involved, how can we say that the greatest amount of good wasn't/isn't/will be achieved? Because of man's choices, Jamal and his family suffered for a finite time, but that is incomparable to eternity. God promises all throughout the Bible that he will be with them that call on his name--especially though adversity. A famous one comes to mind:

Psalm 23
A psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

What does any of this even mean? Which part of Jamal's life was God with him for, the part where his wife is raped or the part where his kids starve to death?