The Mice represent worry, stress and anxiety as well as small problems. The energy behind this card is one of gradual destruction, erosion and undermining. Just like a mouse infestation in a building, these are problems and worries that nibble away at solidity and security, at the fabric of things, from underneath, with a nervous kind of energy.
The Cross, on the other hand, represents bigger problems that are imposed on a person or situation. The key energy of this card is that of weight , heaviness and pressure. These are problems that someone carries with them, weighing them and slowing them down. The Cross has a very depressive, gloomy quality and represents the kinds of problems, obligations and burdens people cannot shake easily.
The Snake represents all things negative, the word No, and bad things in general and (although it sounds over the top to say it) to put it in much more Biblical terms, evil and temptation. So the Snake brings problems of all kinds, but there is particularly a betraying, false quality to this card. Liars, untruths, betrayals. Big problems. This can be with regard to people OR situations; it indicates you will not get what you want and there are negative forces at work around your situation.
The Whip can often be a negative card (although not always) but what it represents most is challenge and struggle. It can mean someone giving you a hard time, or that a situation will be an effort and involve struggle. Hard times. The energy of the Whip is one of conflict, of being pushed, just like whipping a horse to make it go faster. It is a card of discipline or being disciplined. So if you get harsh feedback, for example, or someone criticises you, or you are challenged or feel beaten down by a situation it is likely that the energy of the Whip is at play.