The Daily Crosses We Carry
How the Little Struggles in Life Can Lead Us Closer to Jesus
Some days it’s not the big trials that wear you down—it’s the small ones.
The short nights. The traffic jams. The snarky comment at work. The toddler meltdown. The ache in your back that just won’t go away. The quiet anxiety that lingers like a fog.
And if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably wondered: Does any of this even matter to God?
Let me tell you—it does.
Because every little cross you carry throughout your day can become something sacred. If you let it, it can become a way to walk with Jesus.
What Does Jesus Say About Daily Crosses?
In Luke 9:23, Jesus says:
“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”
Not once. Not just on Good Friday. But daily.
He knows life is full of challenges—some obvious, some hidden. But He doesn’t ask us to carry them alone. He invites us to carry them with Him.
That little act of patience you offer when someone tests you? That’s a cross.
That internal struggle no one sees but you’re fighting anyway? That’s a cross.
That moment you choose to serve instead of snap, love instead of lash out, pray instead of complain? That’s a cross too.
And Jesus sees all of it.
How to Carry the Cross in Real Life
You don’t need to be a saint to start. You just need a willing heart.
Here’s what helps me:
Name the cross.
When something’s frustrating or painful, name it quietly in prayer: “Lord, this is hard for me. But I offer it to You.”Unite it to Christ.
Don’t waste your suffering—big or small. Join it to Jesus’ Passion. Let it mean something.See it as a path, not a punishment.
The cross isn’t meant to crush you—it’s meant to shape you. Every struggle can refine you into the person God created you to be.
Personal Reflection
There have been days when I’ve carried invisible burdens—fatigue, discouragement, guilt. Days when I’ve wanted to run, distract myself, or just numb out. But the Lord always whispers back: “Pick it up. I’m with you. We’ll carry it together.”
I don’t always get it right. But I’ve learned this: when you carry your daily cross with Jesus, you grow stronger in love, in humility, and in purpose.
And somehow, in the middle of all the struggle, peace shows up.
Scripture to Hold Onto:
“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever.”
—2 Corinthians 4:17 (NLT)
Journal Prompt:
What’s one small cross you’ve been carrying lately—something that drains you, frustrates you, or challenges your patience? How can you offer it to Jesus this week?
Closing Prayer:
Jesus, sometimes I forget that You carried a cross too. Help me remember that I’m not alone in my struggles. Teach me to embrace the little sacrifices of daily life and offer them to You with love. Use them to shape me, strengthen me, and draw me closer to You. Amen.