Weekly Devotional by Carolyn Rex

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
Matthew 16:24

Let all men know your forbearance; the Lord is at hand.
Philippians 4:5

I never understood the concept of “taking up one’s cross” until I thought of it in terms of “forbearing” something difficult, something I can’t change, with a Christ-like attitude. And responding as Jesus would, “can be the irresistible evidence that Christ is real.”

I’m inspired by Alexander Whyte’s commentary:

“There are things in all our lives that chafe and fret and crucify our hearts continually. Those you love best may even be the cause of constant and acute pain. There are people with whom you are compelled to stand in the closest of relationships– people whose temper and manners and treatment of you continually exasperate you. Though no mortal may ever guess you are fast sinking under the weight of such crosses as these, it is no guess with your Savior. He knows all about it….

So every new morning, take up your cross and carry it all day in His strength and under His all-seeing and all-sympathizing eye.”

Dear Lord, I am so thankful that you understand and are there for me as I take up my crosses each day. I love you and praise you, now and forever. Amen.”

– Carolyn Rex