What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? (Luke 9:23-25, NIV) For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. Then He said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. In all three of the synoptic Gospels – Matthew, Mark, and Luke – Jesus describes what He expects from anyone who wants to follow Him:

(For more on trials in a Christian’s life see “5 Ways God Uses Trials in a Christian’s Life.”) Although the struggles, trials, difficulties, and heartaches of this life can indeed be difficult to bear, none of these things are the “cross” Jesus commanded His followers to carry. Unfortunately, the common saying causes a bit of confusion in the church. It is commonly accepted and used in Christian circles and in our culture to refer to some physical or emotional burden we are forced to “carry.” All Followers of Jesus Must Bear a Cross The phrase “cross to bear” reflects the cross Jesus was forced to carry to the place of His execution. Or perhaps… This chronic illness is my cross to bear.

It goes something like… Oh yes, our rebellious teenager is my cross to bear. I hear the phrase pop up often in conversation.

Not my cross to bear book