Take up the Cross and Follow me

In Luke 14:25-33 Jesus reminds us that we must count the cost of what it means to follow him. We are asked to Give up all we have, take up the cross and follow. Here is a reading used by some Franciscan Sisters in North Dakota to guide them in their walk with Jesus.

“GIVE UP ALL YOUR POSSESSIONS,TAKE THE CROSS AND FOLLOW ME” 
† Give up judging others; take up the Christ dwelling in them
† Give up emphasis on our differences; take up our oneness
† Give up the darkness around us; take up the light of Christ
† Give up ill thoughts; take up the healing power of God
† Give up words that pollute; take up words that purify
† Give up discontent; take up gratitude
† Give up withholding anger; take up sharing our feelings
† Give up pessimism; take up optimism
† Give up worry; take up trust
† Give up guilt; take up freedom
† Give up complaining; take up appreciation
† Give up stress; take up self-care
† Give up hostility; take up letting go
† Give up bitterness; take up forgiveness
† Give up selfishness; take up compassion for others
† Give up discouragement; take up seeing the good
† Give up apathy; take up enthusiasm
† Give up suspicion; take up seeing the good
† Give up idle gossip; take up spreading good news
† Give up being so busy; take up quiet silence
† Give up problems; take up prayerful trust
† Give up talking; take up listening
† Give up trying to be in control; take up letting go.