From Strongs:

4717 staurow stauroo stow-ro’-o

from 4716; TDNT-7:581,1071; v

AV-crucify 46; 46

1) to stake, drive down stakes
2) to fortify with driven stakes, to palisade
3) to crucify
3a) to crucify one
3b) metaph. to crucify the flesh, destroy its power utterly (the nature of the figure implying that the destruction is attended with intense pain)

Note well the last:

metaph. to crucify the flesh, destroying its power utterly (the nature of the figure implying that the destruction is attended with intense pain) [emphasis mine]

wow.... something to meditate on and study more....

initial thoughts:
1. yes, He says, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light" but He also says we are to "take up the cross" ....