“Count it a blessing when you suffer for being a Christian. This shows that God’s glorious Spirit is with you.”  1 Peter 4:14

  A mental shift from “Woe Is Me” to “It’s Not About Me”, is a crucial part of understanding what it means to “Carry Our Cross” as Christians.

  One of the biggest questions that followers of Jesus have is…

Why is the Christian life so hard?”  When in reality suffering for Christ is an essential part of our spiritual walk and journey with Jesus.

  In fact, when we suffer unjustly, (for something that doesn’t seem to be a consequence of our own actions), we may just be suffering for His name sake.

  When we are left out, rejected, betrayed or criticized because we don’t participate or practice the customs of this world, we immediately have a opportunity to make a mental shift!  Don’t feel sorry for yourself and say “Woe Is Me” but rather “It’s Not About Me.”  Rejoice because you get to participate in the sufferings of Christ!

  When we learn to shift our focus from “Woe Is Me” to “It’s Not About Me” we take one step closer to Jesus and truly learn what it means to take up our Cross and follow Him.

  “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.  If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it.  But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”  Matthew 16:24-25