Carry Your Cross
Scripture Reading:
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’” – Matthew 16:24 (NIV)
Reflection
“If you don’t pick up and carry your own cross... you will live to be crushed by it. Stop expecting others to carry your cross... they have their own.”
These words strike at the heart of Christian discipleship. Jesus never promised us a path without burdens. Instead, He taught that the life of a disciple involves carrying a cross—a symbol of sacrifice, obedience, and faithfulness in the face of hardship.
Too often, we look around and hope that someone else will ease the weight of our struggles. But the truth is, every believer has their own cross to carry. Your struggles, your trials, and your calling are uniquely yours. If left untouched, those uncarried responsibilities can eventually crush your spirit, leaving you bitter, weary, and stagnant in faith.
By choosing to pick up your cross daily, you move from being crushed by life’s weight to being strengthened through Christ’s power. Carrying your cross is not about self-reliance—it’s about surrendering your will to God and trusting Him to provide the strength you cannot muster on your own.
Application
Identify Your Cross – Is it a challenge, a calling, or a sin you need to lay at Christ’s feet? Name it honestly before God.
Stop Comparing – Don’t envy or resent others for their burdens. Their cross is theirs; your cross is yours.
Lean on Christ, Not Others – It’s natural to desire help, but don’t expect others to bear what God has entrusted to you. Instead, trust in His strength.
Embrace the Growth – Each step you take with your cross makes you more like Jesus, who carried His for you.
Prayer
Lord, help me to stop looking for others to carry what You’ve entrusted to me. Teach me to deny myself, take up my cross daily, and follow You with courage. Strengthen me when I am weak, and remind me that You carried the heaviest cross so I could live in freedom. Amen.
