No it doesn't. Romans 9 is definitely one of the harder passages to come to terms with on any kind of true free will.

I can't rectify the usual apologetics and theology I'm seeing on these matters and what I'm observing and understanding toward God. I find it disconcerting for a number of reasons. I've considered many people are wrong and trying to come to terms with something they themselves don't want to look at, which I can very much understand. It's difficult to swallow God would want this given how dire it is. I've also considered God desires those who simply aren't bothered by these things. That doesn't bode well for me and anyone else who would ever use our given beings autonomously on these notions, which we've been gifted/cursed to contemplate.

Sadly, I came to Christianity for hope in a time of dark despair. I don't seem to be the kind of person to accept dogma and unctions very readily. Looking for answers within Christianity is so far producing so many different results I can't even tell if anyone really knows what's going on.