Take Up Your Cross

And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conforming wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also] is not worthy of Me (Matthew 10:38 AMP).

            We all have a cross to bear. God will allow some burdens and tribulations in our lives because He is trying to teach us steadfastness, in Him. How will we learn to trust God if everything is always perfect? For Him to be your Deliverer, you must be delivered from something. For Him to be your Healer, you must be healed from something. For Him to be your Provider, you must lack something so that He can provide. Get it?

             The challenge is when burdens and tribulations seem to last forever in our lives. Sometimes it can feel like God is busy answering everybody else’s prayers except yours. Not true. If you will be steadfast in the Lord, He will come. For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him (Isaiah 64:4,NKJV). God acts on behalf of those who wait for Him. The key is to wait. Wait for His deliverance and His provision. Whatever it is, bear your cross and follow Jesus. He never promised that the road would be easy; He promised He’d get us there. Jesus was so honest with us that in John 16:33, He tells us, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” We must have the faith that declares if Jesus has already overcome the world, then because he lives in Me & I live in Him, I have already overcome this affliction.

            Doing the right thing despite the consequences, detaching yourself from ungodly relationships, and doing things God’s way regardless of what everybody else is doing is bearing a cross. Sometimes it hurts to do things Gods way, but my bible tells me, “But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides” (Matthew 6:33, AMP). We often worry about the everyday issues of life, from money to our relationships, or the lack thereof. However, if we could just focus our hearts on Jesus and be still, I believe that God will move on our behalf. Remember, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all (Psalm 34:19, NKJV).

            Have you ever been in a relationship with someone, whether romantic or platonic? You two were like peas and carrots when life was comfortable. Then when things got rough, they split? How often do we do this to God? When life is simple and all our prayers are answered quickly, we easily follow Jesus. However, when times get rough and when life does not turn out how we expect, submission to Christ becomes taxing. Bearing a cross of any kind is now out of the question. We must learn to serve God in and out of season. When we are prosperous and when we are not. Otherwise, how real is your dedication to Christ? My friend, bear your cross. I personally know that this is not an easy task. Therefore, surround yourself with people of God that will pray with and for you. Have faith in God’s good character and press your way into your breakthrough. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10, NKJV).