Pick Up Your Cross !

Contrary to popular belief, choosing to believe and follow Christ does not guarantee a trouble free life! This thinking alone is why so many start off on fire for God and once life throws its darts they soon fall away! The last few weeks have been met with mornings where I’d wake up and feel this unexplainable immense heaviness! Most days I could just pray and feel the heavy load lift, but some days it seemed to follow me throughout my day! So what do we do when God allows us to walk in this uncomfortable heaviness? That’s what we will be exploring today!

There will be times where God will allow us to walk through seasons of hardships to prepare us for what’s ahead! I find that whenever I’m intentional about my walk with Christ I begin going through these spiritual wars (mostly mentally)! I begin to feel overwhelmed from my never ending list of things to do, thoughts about where I want to be in life, and all of the other things that occupy our time! Sometimes this emotion can even lead to being frustrated with God because it feels like a punishment almost for trying to walk righteously! Every time I get to this point God places Luke 9:23 in my spirit “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” I am then reminded that following God means everyday I must crucify my flesh! And as Jesus beautifully says in Matthew 11:6, “Blessed is he who is not offended in me.”

We must be careful to reframe our minds of what lesson God is trying to teach us, opposed to growing weary or becoming offended at God. We must believe that the reward will be greater than our present sufferings. Something I tell myself that keeps my mind focused on God in times where I’m walking in heaviness is that the enemy doesn’t attack those who he’s already won over and aren’t making an impact on the kingdom. We also have a savior who relates to us and has been met with the same stressors of life that we encounter. This reminder alone with constant praise, prayer, and getting in the word helps me to get out of my slump!

I believe sometimes we are tested in this way to reveal if we truly trust in God the way we say we do when everything is going well in our lives! The trials and the fire reveal our true hearts! Although it’s not always easy, we must remember to keep a grateful heart when faced with difficulties! After all, we don’t have to walk this journey alone! Jesus comforts us by assuring us in Matthew 11:30, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

As we close, I want to encourage you to keep your eyes on the Father! Remember to love him and obey him in the fire just as you do when everything seems to be going your way! Most importantly, don’t get distracted by the adversary. We must pick up our cross daily and follow Christ even when it’s difficult. I love you all and pray you are encouraged in knowing Christ cares for you and you are not alone!

Written By: Amber Alycee

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