The Savior's invitation for us to follow Him by denying self and taking up our own personal cross means we are willing to surrender the care of our lives and will over to Him. By doing so avails us of His power whereby He works through us to do miraculous things. It is not something forced because our Heavenly Father wants us to use our moral agency to choose to be fully invested in our discipleship with Christ. And it is something we make willingly.
Mindful Christian Living 