温馨提示：本站仅提供公开网络链接索引服务，不存储、不篡改任何第三方内容，所有内容版权归原作者所有
AI智能索引来源：http://www.cbn.com/devotions/picking-our-cross
点击访问原文链接

Picking Up Our Cross | CBN

进入原网站 导航首页
Picking Up Our Cross | CBN Skip to main content Ask for prayer TODAY ON THE 700 CLUB Contact Us Login give now Home Menu Site search Site search Home give now Login Ask for prayer Toggle Menu The 700 Club Toggle Menu SHOW INFORMATION 700 Club | Home Latest Episode Show Information Guests Ask A Question Share Your Story Toggle Menu MORE SHOWS 700 Club Interactive 700 Club Canada Miracle Living Today Club 700 Hoy All Shows Toggle Menu Resources Learn More A New Day Booklet Toggle Menu CBN NEWS Toggle Menu BY CATEGORY News | Home US World Israel Entertainment Health Politics Toggle Menu BY SHOW Christian World News Newswatch Faith Nation Jerusalem Dateline Studio 5 Quickstart All Shows Toggle Menu Noteworthy Top Story 'Blown Away': Hundreds Saved and… Christians Fill Mile-Long Communion… Revival Grips Brazil's Amazon: 'We… Revival Grips Brazil's Amazon: 'We… Top Story Revival Grips Brazil's Amazon: 'We… Toggle Menu FAITH Toggle Menu RESOURCES Faith | Home Daily Devotional Get Prayer Topical Resources Toggle Menu FAITH JOURNEY Curious About Christianity New Christians Returning Christians Deepen Your Faith Share Your Faith Toggle Menu More Resources Today’s Daily Devotional Get Prayer Toggle Menu SUPERBOOK Toggle Menu CBN ANIMATION Kids | Home About Us Give to Superbook Toggle Menu SUPERBOOK Watch Full Episodes Kids' Website Superbook For Churches Get Superbook Get Superbook App Toggle Menu Get More Superbook Superbook Kids' Website Superbook Bible App Toggle Menu LISTEN Toggle Menu RADIO Listen | Home Praise Contemporary Southern Gospel Selah Instrumental Cross Country Toggle Menu PODCASTS Podcasts | Home A New Day Conversations From Studio 5 Navigating Trump 2.0 Quickstart The Lesson Toggle Menu More From CBN Radio Where the worship never stops! CBN Radio App Toggle Menu ABOUT Toggle Menu DISCOVER CBN About | Home Who We Are Careers People Financials Toggle Menu OUR MINISTRIES Operation Blessing Helping The Homefront CBN Israel CBN Films Toggle Menu DONATE Give Now Gift Planning Ways To Give Toggle Menu Learn More Watch The CBN Story CBN's Ministry give now Login Ask for prayer Toggle Menu The 700 Club Latest Episode Show Information Guests Ask A Question Share Your Story More Shows Toggle Menu CBN News U.S. World Israel Entertainment Health Politics Shows Podcasts Toggle Menu Faith Faith in Jesus Daily Devotional Topical Resources Faith Journey Bible Toggle Menu Superbook About Donate Watch Kids' Website Superbook for Churches App Toggle Menu Listen Radio Podcasts Toggle Menu About Who We Are Careers People Financials Ministries Gift Planning Site search Site search Home Search Contact Us Login give now Daily Devotional March 17, 2026 Picking Up Our Cross Gary E. Roberts

Share This Devotional

Link was copied! One of my favorite films, Forrest Gump, tells the fictional story of a kind-hearted, honest, developmentally challenged man. The film is chock-full of folksy wisdom, such as life being as unpredictable as choosing one yummy piece of chocolate candy from a large sampler box. Like Forrest Gump’s, my own life has been filled with many tasty life experience treats, such as meeting my wife for the first time in a local park. Those pleasant moments stand in contrast with painful challenges, such as the bitter experiences of my wife’s breast cancer, our daughter’s lupus, and my sister’s 40-year battle with multiple sclerosis. We never know what cross we believe God will call us to carry.

Imagine yourself in the place of Simon: "A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross" (Mark 15:21 NIV). The Romans compelled Simon, but to truly become Christ’s disciples, we must willingly take up our crosses and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23-26, Matthew 16:24-27).

God weaves all our life experiences into His divine cosmic tapestry to help us grow in Christ-like character. Romans 8:28 guards our hearts and minds, teaching that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Simon’s carrying of the cross led up to the crucifixion of Jesus. Yet this cosmic tragedy became the steppingstone to the greatest blessing in history: the resurrection, which frees humanity from death, the devil, and sin, granting us eternal life. The worst becomes the best! 

The lesson is clear for us. No matter how painful the cross we bear in the seemingly mindless anarchy and unpredictability of this fallen world, that “roll-of-the-dice” experience that makes life appear unfair and illogical is used by our Creator of the universe to bring order out of chaos and a greater good in our lives and those we love.  

Crying may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning (see Psalm 30:5).

God used my caregiving cross to humble me, to make me less self-centered, and increase my empathy for others’ suffering. As the Apostle Paul states, we learn through these crosses to not look out only for ourselves, "but each of you to the interests of the others" (Philippians 2:4).

I experienced God’s presence in the midst of their pain and struggle, and in others God brought into our lives. These included cancer patients who smiled while enduring nausea, hair loss, and crippling fatigue with chemotherapy, and doctors and nurses who held patients’ hands while listening patiently to those who were weary, frustrated, scared, or depressed. 

So beloved readers, when unexpected crosses of life come your way, pray for strength to resist complaining, endure the pain, and grow in Christian maturity, trusting Him to bring good from the situation. To God be the glory!

~

Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. 

Share This Devotional

Link was copied! About The Author Gary E. Roberts

Gary Roberts joined Regent University’s Robertson School of Government in 2003 as a professor specializing in public administration and human resource management. He has been married to his sweetheart, Connie Roberts, for over 40 years and is blessed with three daughters and several (mostly!) angelic grandchildren. They also share a pet family of spirited cats from a stray mother and her three kittens. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Gary loves his home state’s hills and mountains and enjoys neighborhood cleanups and rescuing wildlife during his morning runs and walks. More

How can CBN pray for you today? We would love to pray for you or someone you care for. Please feel free to fill out the Prayer Request form.

Please briefly describe your prayer request. First Name Last Name Email Address Select your prayer topic General Prayer request Salvation for a Loved One Healing Finances Family Emotions Drugs/Alcohol Sexual Issues Depression CAPTCHA Leave this field blank Unlock the best from CBN. You are signing up to receive general newsletters from CBN. By signing up, you are consenting to our privacy policy. You can specify preference after sign-up and opt out at any time.

Explore Other Devotions Image Hold Tightly The Bible doesn’t tell us that everything will be perfect if we follow Jesus. Instead, we’re told that trouble will come. However, we’re reminded that there is hope—because Jesus has already won the victory. In this devotional, you'll read about how to navigate through difficult and stretching seasons alongside a community and with Jesus. Because with His love, we can make it through anything. Image Still Serving Time If you've ever felt stuck in a situation or season of life, you may relate well to this author's story. She shares the challenges of her last year of teaching that couldn't pass quickly enough. How the prophet Jeremiah must have felt during his time of confinement reminds her of how she felt. This devotion will inspire you to listen for God's voice and find His promises in your own struggles. Image The Best Source of Truth Where are you planting your roots? Deep in the rich, fertile soil of the Word of God or the shifting sand of the culture around us? This author found herself faced with what she knew was in God’s Word and what others say about it. Read more to see how you can find freedom in discerning God’s Word when you experience it right from the Source! The Christian Broadcasting Network Unlock the best from CBN. You are signing up to receive general newsletters from CBN. By signing up, you are consenting to our privacy policy. You can specify preference after sign-up and opt out at any time.

Prayer Give News Ministry Radio Podcasts Courses Bible CBN Family MINISTRIES Operation Blessing CBN Israel Helping the Homefront CBN Films FAITH Daily Devotional Prayer Faith In Jesus Find A Church Resources CBN Bible App WAYS TO GIVE Online Donation Legacy Giving IRA & Stock Charitable Gift Annuities Real Estate & Business CONNECT Newsletters Contact Us Advertise With Us Media Kit Careers About Us NEWS United States World Israel Health Entertainment Politics CBN News App SHOWS The 700 Club Christian World News Faith Nation Jerusalem Dateline More Shows CBN Family App CBN ANIMATION Superbook Ministry Superbook Bible App Superbook Kids' Site LISTEN CBN Radio Podcasts CBN Radio App Connect on social youtube-footer fb-footer instagram-footer twitter-footer © 2024 The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc., A nonprofit 501 (c)(3) Charitable Organization.

Terms of use Privacy Policy Donor Privacy CBN Cookie Policy Third Party Processors Cookies Settings myCBN The Christian Broadcasting Network This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. More info.

智能索引记录