What does it mean to take up your cross

"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 Abraham 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." 

St. Nikolai Velimirovich, Orthodox Homilies for Sundays and Feast Days -----------------------------------------------

"But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 
not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His 
mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the 
Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our 
Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs 
according to the hope of eternal life."  
Titus 3:4-7

Draw nigh unto God and He will draw nigh unto you.