By Faith Take Up Your Cross

~~[b]~~By Faith Take Up Your Cross[/b]

I asked the Lord to strengthen me – immediately I felt pain
The sunshine of His presence was lost in pouring rain
My friends all seemed to shun me, as no one lent a hand
I suddenly felt all alone - none seemed to understand

Then some one reached out to me - my hope somewhat revived
Until they pointed out my sin and all within me cried
I couldn’t even answer – their judgment was severe
I tried to ask forgiveness but they didn’t want to hear

Numb with pain and sorrow – I sought comfort anew
But not a single friend could see what I was going through
In fact a few could clearly see that I was quite distressed
My lack of joy and peace was what several now addressed

Confused, hurt and abandoned, my heart was growing hard
A storm of thoughts was weakening my resolve to serve the Lord
Perhaps I never really had the faith to pass the test
How could things turn out this way when giving Him my best

Caught in my dilemma I hid my face and cried
Not noticing at first the one who now stood by my side
His voice arrested every thought to His gentle command
I’ve come my child to comfort you so you will understand

Why do you doubt – Why don’t you see – Why is My way not plain?
You asked that I would strengthen you – My yes was all your pain
My Father’s way has always been to bruise and crush His sons
The fellowship of suffering makes us His holy ones

If you would now be perfect and joy to me would bring
Then count it all pure joy when I send you my suffering
Deny your need for ease and rest, count what’s gain as lost
Embrace the way of suffering – by faith take up your cross

Yes Brother, and what a lesson to be learned by doing so.

Romans 8:16-18
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: [17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
[18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Then with the sufferings come the consolation,

2 Cor. 1:5-7
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. [6] And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. [7] And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

For it is He who promissed never to leave us nor
forsake us
Hebrews 13:5
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Yes, embrace the cross and all the suffering that may go with it, for the Lamb of God is Worthy to receive the Reward of His Suffering.
Praise His Holy Name