How can a god, that apparently loves everyone, allow this kind of thing to happen?

[John V]

So, suffering exists to teach people how to comfort?

Yes, that's part of it.

Yet no one would need to be comforted if suffering didn't exist. You're going in circles.

It's not a circle, it's two possible worlds.

One has suffering, but also has compassion, generosity, self-sacrifice, etc. - qualities which most consider to be good and noble.

The other has no suffering, but neither does it have these good and noble qualities.

It's a matter of opinion as to which one, if either, is better.