Carrying Your Cross

"And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus." -Luke 23:26

"Jesus does not suffer so as to prevent your suffering. He bears a cross, not that you may escape it, but that you may endure it. Christ exempts you from sin but not from sorrow. Remember that, and expect to suffer." -C.H. Spurgeon (from Morning and Evening)

In suffering, remember:

1. You carry the cross after Christ
2. You bear this cross in partnership with Christ
3. Though Simon had to bear the cross for a short while, it gave him lasting honor

Lead me to repentance, and save me from despair;
Let me come to thee renouncing, condemning. loathing myself,

but hoping in the grace that flows even to the chief of sinners.
At the cross may I contemplate the evil of sin, and abhor it,

look on him whom I pierced, as one slain for me, and by me.
May I never despise his death by fearing its efficacy for my salvation.
And whatever cross I am required to bear,

let me see him carrying a heavier.

-Taken from The Valley of Vision