Carrying Our Own Crosses

Over the last couple of years, I have struggled with finding God in the midst of adversity. I felt myself get down and I let the darkness overcome me when things did not go how I planned. I have felt myself wanting to blame God for not allowing things to go my way and for helping others and not me. A few years back I received advice that I will keep with me forever. I had the opportunity to go with my friend and visit his Aunt, who is a Nun at a Greek Orthodox Monastery. We began talking about our relationships with

God, how He should be the center of all our lives, and how he puts obstacles in our lives to remind us that He is in control. She listened to us talk about different hardships we have faced and struggles we were currently dealing with. We discussed how hard it was to see people’s lives on social media because it seemed like everyone was living the perfect life while we were struggling to stay afloat. We talked about Christian influencers, and how easy it is for them to speak of their faith filled lives on Instagram. Confessing that it felt like influencers always had everything right going on in their lives and suggesting that life is so easy for them and not us. We shared how it has begun to feel like God chooses to help out certain people, but not paying attention to others. His Aunt listened and thought about everything and then simply asked “Do you think God would give you a Cross you could not bear?” She explained to us how God has given each of us our own Crosses to carry in life; just like Jesus had carried His cross for us. She emphasized how God has designed crosses specifically for each one of us. He knows exactly how much each of us can handle, He does not give

anyone a cross that is too heavy or too light. His Aunt explained how everyone’s cross is made of different shapes, sizes, and materials, stressing the fact that everyone faces their own form of adversity.  ​ If life was easy and everything always went how we wanted it to go, would we truly believe and understand the Works of God? Would we stop and thank God for everything he has done for us or would we take credit for it? His Aunt explained to us that carrying our daily crosses reminds us that we are living a life of Gods plan and not our own. ​ When Jesus told His disciples to carry their cross, He said to them, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me (Luke 9:23).” Jesus was telling them to let go of their own goals and objectives and turn their lives over to Him and do His will each and every day.  ​ God places challenges in our lives because He knows that we can handle them and to remind us that we cannot do it alone. We need His help. Instead of turning away from God when we have dark thoughts, rough moments, and tough years we need to turn to God. When I feel myself slipping into the darkness, I focus on looking to the light; God, because now I know He is there to help me get through anything. Now it is our turn to pick up our own crosses and walk towards God.