On the feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross, Fr. Matthew Howell quotes from St. Nikolai Velimirovic to explain what it means to take up one's cross. Namely, it means to accept every means of healing at the hand of Providence.
"What does it mean: to take up your cross? It means the willing acceptance, at the hand of Providence, of every means of healing, bitter though it may be, that is offered. DO great catastrophes fall on you? Be obedient to God's will, as Noah was. Is sacrifice demanded of you? Give yourself into God's hands with the same faith as Abram had when he went to sacrifice his son. Is your property ruined? Do your children die suddenly? Suffer it all with patience, cleaving to God in your heart, as Job did. Do your friends forsake you, and you find yourself surrounded by enemies? Bear it all without grumbling, and with faith that God's help is at hand, as the apostles did. Are you condemned to death for Christ? Be thankful to God for such an honour, like thousands of Christian martyrs. Nothing will be sought of you that has not been done before, but you will rather follow the example of many -- apostles, saints, confessors and martyrs -- who have done Christ's will." -- St. Nikolai Velimirovic, Homilies, Volume 1, page 153.
