Don't Give Up Now
Take Up Your Cross & Follow Jesus
Luke 9:23
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
Mark 4:35–39
“And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”
Life with Jesus is powerful; but it’s not always easy.
Jesus never promised a storm-free life. He never said following Him would be convenient or comfortable. What He did say was this:
“If you’re going to come after me, deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”
That’s not poetic. That’s costly.
It means following Him when it’s easy, and when it feels impossible. It means walking with Him when you feel His presence, and when all you hear is silence. It means carrying your cross when you don’t understand it, didn’t ask for it, and don’t know how long the road will be.
And sometimes, that road leads straight into a storm.
The Cross You Didn’t Choose
Simon of Cyrene didn’t wake up expecting to carry Jesus’ cross that day. He wasn’t a disciple, an apostle, or even a volunteer. He was just passing by. But in a moment of divine interruption, Roman soldiers pulled him out of the crowd and laid the cross of Jesus on his back.
Simon didn’t deserve it. He didn’t ask for it. But it was placed on him anyway.
“And on him they laid the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.” (Luke 23:26)
Simon didn’t walk ahead of Jesus. He walked behind Him, carrying something he didn’t choose. And for many of us, life works the same way.
- A diagnosis you never saw coming
- A financial crisis you didn’t cause
- A betrayal you didn’t expect
- A prayer that seems unanswered
And now you’re carrying something that feels heavier than you think you can bear. You didn’t choose this cross. But here you are, trying to keep moving. Don’t give up now.
When the Storm Hits While You’re Obeying
In Mark 4, the disciples got into a boat because Jesus told them to.
“Let us pass over unto the other side.”
They were obeying Jesus, and they still found themselves in the middle of a storm. Waves crashing. Boat filling. Lives at risk. And Jesus? He was asleep in the back of the boat.
Maybe you’ve felt the same as the disciples did. You obeyed. You prayed. You did everything right. But the storm still came. And maybe, just like the disciples, you’ve asked:
“Master, carest thou not that we perish?”
But here’s what you need to know:
The presence of a storm does not mean the absence of a Savior.
Jesus was there the entire time. And when they called on Him, He stood and said:
“Peace, be still.”
And just like that, the wind stopped. The waves calmed. And there was peace again.
Remember, You’re Not Alone
Some burdens feel random. Some storms feel unfair. And some silence feels unbearable. But none of it means you’re abandoned. You may not understand the “why.” You may not see the “how.” But you can always trust the “Who.”
When You Feel Like You Can’t Go On
What do you do when the cross is too heavy? When Jesus is seemingly asleep in your storm? When your strength is gone? You do what David did at Ziklag.
He came back to find his city burned, his family taken, and his own men ready to kill him. And yet, Scripture says:
“But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” (1 Samuel 30:6)
Sometimes, nobody else will hand you a word. Sometimes, the worship team isn’t there. Sometimes, the preacher doesn’t know what you’re going through. But God’s Word is always there.
Speak the Word Over Yourself
Here are promises you can hold on to when the storm rages and the weight feels like too much:
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee…” (Isaiah 41:10)
“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)
“The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:14)
“Be not weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap…” (Galatians 6:9)
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace…” (Isaiah 26:3)
“When I fall, I shall arise…” (Micah 7:8)
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you…” (John 14:27)
“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed…” (2 Corinthians 4:8)
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)
Don't Give Up Now. Keep Following Jesus.
You may feel alone. You may be tired of carrying what you never chose. But don’t give up now. One more step could bring your miracle. One more cry could stir heaven. One more prayer could shake the silence. Keep walking. Keep trusting. Keep following Jesus; even when He’s silent, even when it hurts, even when it’s not fair. Your cross is not forever. Your storm is not final. Your silence is not permanent.
Don’t give up now.