Take Up Your Cross

"Lord, what cross are You talking about?"

    "Beloved one, what ever 'crosses' your path, that crosses your emotions and irritates you, angers you, and creathes physical and emotional pain in your life---that is your cross.
You cannot control your life and have it 'your way', my dear beloved one.
Another cross, the heaviest cross you must take up or carry is the realization that you are HUMAN and will make mistakes, fall, do wrong and because of this ---you will have a deep guilt, and even hate yourself and your life---knowing your choices have led you to the state you are in, and also the state of your loved ones lives, too. This is the cross before the one you don't want in your life. This is a  heavy cross of how weak you are because of your human nature and the knowledge that your caused pain in their lives.
    However, dear one, what if these mistakes, your falls or failures were a necessary part of all life?

 God would remind us that: "I made you human and gave you free will out a deep love for you ---for if I had given you a PERFECT life, and made you perfect in all ways-- then you would never really needed Me or wanted life with Me. You would be controlled by pride and wanting only to be more powerful, living in the ways of the world."

    Know that all gifts that can come from My Holy Spirit will only develop with first 'Understanding of how others feel.' With understanding comes, compassion, forgiveness. wisdom and the ability to love from deep within your heart, My heart.  One must first walk in the footsteps of other's pain and struggles to to understand their pain."
     "Lord, I understand now why the human nature is necessary---but if I take up my cross to follow You ---where are we going?"
    "Into a New Life, starting with each step of living My way, living My instructions and desiring to turn your back on the ways of the world.  The world will lead you into deep dispair and death if you walk in  the world's way.
   Desire to walk only in My footsteps so that your cross is on My shoulders and we carry your cross together!   I am the strenght you need as you are human and weak in nature by My perfect design. So take My hand and walk together with Me---One way, My way--the only way of life now and forever. Your choice---My beloved child. Here is your cross---will you take it up and follow Me?"
     "Oh, yes Lord, but please never leave me carrying my cross alone!"
    "Never, my child--for I have promised that I am with you always---so let peace and the knowledge of My everlasting love--always be in control of carrying that cross and walking side by side with Me. Come,  Beloved one, and walk through all your life with Me. "

Mathew 16
The Conditions of Discipleship.*
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q Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,* take up his cross, and follow me.
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r For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.*