I think we sanitize this verse.
We pretty it up.
We water it down.

We think denying ourselves and taking up our crosses is only putting up with the occasional annoyance or criticism of being called a Christian.

We need to soberly understand what Jesus is saying when He says, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” ( Matt 16:24)

David Guzik says, “Human nature wants to indulge self, not deny self. Death to self is always terrible, and if we expect it to be a pleasant or mild experience, we will often be disillusioned. Death to self is the radical command of the Christian life. To take up your cross meant one thing: you were going to a certain death, and your only hope was in resurrection power.”

If I’ve taken up my cross and truly walking in death to myself, I can’t suggest a different route or determine I’ll only go so far.

If I want to follow Christ, it means following His will and His way no matter where that might lead.

And that is terrifying if I do not simultaneously remember the complete goodness, faithfulness, trustworthiness of God who holds the keys of victory over death and Hell.

This remembering comes as I take my scary thoughts and compare them to the TRUTH of the Word.

That’s where the peace is.
That’s where the hope is found.

Oh friend, we all have moments of shaky-knees when picking up our crosses and daily dying to self, but there is keep-going strength to be found when place our eyes on Jesus and remember His promises.

And you know, that’s what you are doing every day when you open the Word. You’re finding strength to keep following.

Aren’t you thankful God gave us His Bible? With it, when we are weak, He helps us be strong. He truly does, doesn’t He?

whataSavior

readMatthew

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