My friend's young daughter passed away from leukemia recently and she is mad at God

[freeplessinseattle]

Any advice for what I can say to help even a little bit that wouldn't accidentally be offensive and would resonate with her on her level? I am having a hard enough time as it is trying to think of the right things to say to help, and sure wish I had finished my darn Master's in counseling because I am feeling completely incompetent.

While I know that nothing I say can really ease the pain much at all, I feel like a useless dummy just repeating how sorry I am, especially when she said she is tired of people's condolences. I've suggested she go to grief counseling, but I think she is feeling too paralyzed to do anything.

I have no religious background but she is a devout Mormon and strongly believed that if she had enough faith her daughter would be ok, so now thinks that she didn't have enough faith, or did something to disappoint God so he let her down.

While I can see how the idea of faith can help provide comfort and strength in trying times, much like the power of positive thinking, I can't help but feel it is deceptive and messes with people's minds too much to encourage people to put so much faith in the power of God.

I don't want to say what I really think, that if God is so all powerful why does cancer, especially childhood leukemia, exist in the first place? And why does he/she need such constant validation of other's faith and approval in order to help? Seems a little narcisstic to me (but of course I would never say that).

Right now I am sure she is feeling angry and confused, and needs a target for her anger, so God is handy. Since her religion gave her comfort before though and nothing else really can right now I think it would be helpful if I can somehow get her back on track to finding some comfort in her faith still, and a suitable explanationdespite being "let down" Maybe something like saying that some things are more powerful than God, but he tried, and is still all loving, etc...or...??