Sacred Heart

Some Christians in the 17th century focused a lot on sin.  A theological movement in France called Jansenism arose which emphasized original sin, human depravity, and predestination.  As a result, God began to be seen as a punishing figure who is out to damn us when we sin.

During this time a nun named Margaret Mary Alacoque began having visions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which empasized unmitigated love, compassion, and long-suffering of the heart of Christ towards humanity.

This is the better represenation of God.  Although God is just, He is also merciful.  One cannot separate the two.  When thinking of our own suffering we should remember that God takes no pleasure in it.  Neither does He will that it be our destiny.  Rather, God wishes that we become better for it and realize that it will lead to a greater glory.  This is the whole point of the crucifixion.

When we struggle, reciting the Sacred Heart Prayer could be a great help.