Suffering is hard and painful. Although we do not wish it for ourselves or those we love, it is an unescapable reality of the human condition. While it can cause us to wither and despair, suffering can also be a path to insight, depth, and compassion. This collection of inspiring true stories, poems, and essays show the path to the growth, wisdom, and compassion that can come through suffering. Contributors include Pico Iyer, Thich Nhat Hanh, James Martin, Richard Rohr, Joyce Rupp, Kate Bowler, Pema Chödrön, and Henri Nouwen, among others.