How Do We Carry Our Crosses?

When we think about carrying our crosses, it can feel daunting. It’s easy to slip into a complaining mindset, especially when life throws unexpected curveballs.

Trust me, I’ve been there. But here’s the thing — complaining doesn’t lighten the load; it only keeps us focused on the weight of the cross. So, is the way we carry our cross complaining or compelling?

I had my own cross-bearing experience recently while celebrating our one-year anniversary. There we were, soaking in the beauty of God’s creation, when out of nowhere, I broke out in a full-body rash. Yep, Covid-19 made its grand entrance into our vacation.

Quarantine and I became very familiar. Let me have just one more moment to whine. I missed the bridal shower for my soon-to-be bonus granddaughter. I missed church. I missed the joy of hugging those I love.

But, here’s the kicker — I realized something through it all. Crosses will come our way, and when they do, we’re faced with a choice: complain or compel?

We all have crosses to bear — some mini-size, some maga-size. Jesus carried the ultimate cross. He had every opportunity to call down an army of angels to save Him. But He didn’t. If He had, the gates of heaven would’ve remained closed, and we’d be left without hope. Instead, Jesus CHOSE the cross, and through it, we found salvation.

Suffering is universal, whether it’s physical pain, loss, heartache, or rejection. But complaining gets us nowhere. So, what if instead, we became compellers? What if we showed the world that there’s beauty in carrying our crosses, that through our trials, we’re drawn closer to Christ?

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 reminds us that our suffering equips us to comfort others. Just as Simon of Cyrene helped carry Jesus’ cross, we too can help others bear their burdens. And in doing so, we transform our pain into a testimony of God’s goodness — a soft place for others to land in their struggles.

The truth is, God doesn’t waste a single one of our tears. Every hardship, every challenge has a purpose. And as we carry our crosses faithfully, we not only experience the blessings ourselves but also bring hope to those around us.

So, how are we carrying our crosses today? Are we complainers, dragging our feet? Or are we compellers, lifting others up along the way? If we endure and don’t give up, there are blessings waiting in due season.

Heavenly Father, please give us the grace to bear our crosses for Your glory, in Jesus’ name. Amen.