Let’s dive into ‘The Problem of Evil,’ which is this philosophical question about why a benevolent and all-powerful God would allow suffering and evil in the world. It’s a big, heavy topic, and I’m thinking about it while I’m stuck in traffic.

I’m sitting there, gridlocked, and I’m like, ‘Seriously? Why is this happening? Did I accidentally do something evil in a past life to deserve this? Did I curse at that driver who cut me off two weeks ago, and now I’m paying for it?’

Then I start thinking, ‘Maybe this is a test. Maybe my ability to stay calm in traffic is determining my place in the cosmic order. Or maybe it’s just a random traffic jam and there’s no grand plan, just a lot of people who can’t drive.’

So I try to stay Zen, like, ‘Maybe this is the universe’s way of teaching me patience. Or maybe it’s just bad luck. Either way, I’m stuck here and I’m out of podcasts.’

Then I see the driver next to me scrolling through their phone, and I think, ‘Oh great, now I’m sharing this suffering with someone who’s clearly not even bothered by it. Maybe they’ve found the secret to happiness, or maybe they’re just as lost as I am.’

Next time you’re stuck in traffic or facing any kind of everyday frustration, remember: Sometimes it’s just a random inconvenience, not a cosmic test. And if you can stay calm and maybe even crack a joke, you’re doing pretty well. After all, you might not solve the Problem of Evil, but you’ll definitely make it through the traffic!