Take up your cross

Do you believe that the words of your Lord, “take up your cross,” refer to you personally?  If you believe this, then take it up.  The Lord has laid it on your shoulders in this present grievous case.  Do not say it is too heavy; God knows better the measure of your strength.  To some God sends trials and sorrows, brought about by circumstances and in no way dependent on people, these are more easily borne.  To others He sends those caused by people, and they are harder, especially when we have done some good to those people.  The last case is the hardest to bear.  If God sends you this, know that it is precisely what is most useful to you, and to this realization add the inspiring thought: God sees that you are strong enough to bear it and expects you to actually bear it with a good heart, without complaining.  So, do not disappoint God's expectations.  From Unseen Warfare (as edited by St. Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain and St. Theophan the Recluse)