A Mozambican refugee walks toward his mother in Mwanza, Malawi, Feb. 7, 2016, after arriving at a makeshift camp to escape violence at home. Christians take the pain of suffering most seriously. The crucifix behind or above the altar in a Catholic church vividly reminds believers that Christ suffered an utterly painful death on a cross. (CNS photo/Erico Waga, EPA)
The Christian view of suffering is complex.
While suffering is not a goal in itself, Christians hold nonetheless that our suffering can be Christlike.
Life with God is not a series of rewards and punishments based on our conduct. It’s complicated and sometimes messy, but in the end, it is about faith and trust, in good times and bad.
