Although (after many, many years of study) I choose not to believe the "Christ" story, I do believe in God, and I do believe that there is a plan and perfect logic in the suffering of the world.

Without my suffering I would not be the person I am today.

It made me stronger and stronger and more and more able to help others with their suffering.

I do believe that Jesus WAS an example (one of many) of a strong human being with courage, high ideals and a heart of love (they were called prophets) and we should look to stories like that in dealing with our own suffering.

Face your pain, embrace that bad childhood and own it--you may not know it yet, but it made you strong.

How you use that strength and power is your choice.

Choose wisely.