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Kirk–
First off– Welcome!
I hear you completely about the difficulty of “getting started”. You are asking your hands, eyes, and brain to do things they never have.
You have already gotten some GREAT suggestions– (doing the stretches- (VERY important!), focusing on FUN, maybe having your guitar “checked out”, moving-on in the hope that it will be easier when you come back to it, etc, etc). Again, great suggestions, all. And…… they ALL work……..
Here’s my two-cents if I may.
Instead of just doing some stretches, also, warm your hands up somehow- (temperature-wise). And– “shake them out” every few minutes to help get that cramping-tension out when it starts to come on.
Also maybe- instead of just trying to “land” a C-chord out of the blue- (or maybe worse– working and working like crazy to get your fingers in just the right place when they are sore and cramping)- try going “TO” that C-chord FROM a different, maybe similar, chord. Focusing on the TRANSITION to the C. Maybe try going from an A-minor chord TO the C-chord. Your fingers are already right there in the neighborhood, an easy move gets you there.
Try different adjustments to your hand-position– see what works best for YOU.
Also, DON’T think you have to squeeze the life out of your guitar neck. Making a chord is MUCH easier if you don’t have a death-grip on the fretboard.
Lastly— be patient with yourself. We have ALL been where you are right now. Your issues are temporary, and you WILL get thru them.
Remember— if it was “too easy”, you would not get the personal satisfaction of learning something difficult– that deep, inner, personal, enjoyment is coming your way!
You are now on a journey! Don’t focus on the destination….. make sure to take in the sights along the way!
Sorry for this long-winded reply……….
theoldcoach