Why ?. ( Philippians 1 v 29 )

I just received an update  on Christians who are suffering for their faith, like Pastor Nadarkani who is serving a ten year sentence in prison, in the land of Iran.There are three other Christians serving sentences also,and I could name a lot more who are serving time in prison.Many Christians have been murdered in northern Nigeria, one picture I saw recently was that of three women who each had one ear cut off. It all seems so meaningless, and we may ask the question why, such brutality? why indeed. It is Derek Tidball who wrote the following, ''We should never be surprised when suffering comes as a result of our standing for the gospel, for we live in the midst of a crooked and depraved generation ( Philippians 2 v  15 ); and are  surrounded by people who live as enemies of the cross of Christ''.