Well, how about I tell you what my religion says about God and his relationship with his creation?
maybe that can help you better understand what is happening to you in your life.
Does God hate people ?
God only hates those who are outright disbilievers, and those who are arrogant in claiming their disbelief, because he has given you so many signs! and yet they still don't believe! ask them, is it more difficult to create you, a human being, or the heavens that we have created over you without pillars? or what about the mountains, great in their size and steadfastness? and the what about the rising of the sun, can you create the likes of it? we(God) make it rise from the east, can you make it rise from the west? little do you ponder over such matters!
Punish people?
oh human being, why is it that when we test you with wealth and luxurious life you say "my lord has honored me!"? and when we test you with hardships(lack of: friendship, social gains, material gains) and with a lack of wealth you say "my lord has dishonored me!"? (ie. meaning he is angry with you displeased with you)
this world is only a test to see if you will believe in Him, the one creator, the ruler of the heavens and the earth
does he allow bad things to happen for us to be hurt and feel alone ?
in my religion, God has told us that he will test us with some things of fear and hunger and a decrease in wealth, people and crops.... and give glad tidings to those who have patience with the will of their creator. those whom are afflicted with an affliction say we belong to our lord and to him we will return. Those are the people that obtain blessings from their lord and mercy, and those most defenitly are the ones who are guided.
does he really listen or is he not?
This is one of the most beautiful things that i personally love about my religion.
God said: and if my slave asks you about me (God) then I am near, I answer the call of the caller if calls upon me, so answer upon my(God's) call and believe in me (as the only creator, the one lord) so that they might be set upright.
I hope this gives you answers to your questions.
Belief is your choice, for their is no compulsion in religion.
I only wish you could read this in it's original language, because it is so much more beautiful.
If you have more questions, I would love to answer them, to the best of my ability, of course.