The symbol of the cross has always taken a fundamental and cardinal role in the Christian faith. The cross serves as a reminder to Christians that God is with them in their pain, suffering and sorrow. It reinforces their strength of faith in times of great need, because the symbol of the cross reminds Christians that not only did God send His only son to earth to be crucified in order to save us from our sins, but also that both God and Jesus have suffered for our sakes and salvation.
The history of the world has been characterised by great human suffering. One can reflect upon horrific events such as the Holocaust and the Twin Towers tragedy and wonder how God, who is supposed to love everyone unconditionally, can permit such inhumane catastrophes to occur. The answer which theologians have provided is that God does not will for these sufferings to befall us, but is present in our suffering and “really suffers with all who suffer in this world” (Johnson, 2007, 61).
The symbol of the cross, which Jesus was crucified on, serves to remind Christians that they are not alone in their agony. It is an image of comfort for those in pain, because it brings to mind the sacrifice God made for us in sending His son to intimately share in the world’s pain. The cross symbolises that “God, who is love…freely plunges into the midst of pain and tastes its bitterness to the bitter end in order to save” (Johnson, 2007, 59). Therefore, the symbol of the cross is emotionally significant to Christians in turmoil, because it reminds them that they are not deserted by God – instead He will give them the hope and the strength to survive their anguish.

Bibliography
Johnson, E.A. (2007) Quest for the Living God: Mapping Frontiers in the Theology of God, New York: Continuum.