Revelation 2:8-11
To the church in Smyrna suffering and poverty seem to go hand in hand with God’s blessings. It is in our suffering that if we are paying attention we’ll notice God’s presence increases. We may even talk with Him and hear His reply on a more regular basis than our prior formal prays we use to offer up and strangely enough not really realize what is going on between us and God is nothing short of amazing as you tell Him of your troubles. Perfect love casts out all fear 1 John 4:18 and knowing God on this level enables the follower of Christ Jesus to do things that fear would not have allowed previously, even face death, because you know your eternal soul is secure. Not relying on the false hope of once saved always saved but because of the relationship you now have with Christ, you are following Him where He leads and your eyes are steadfast upon your Savior. So hold tight to what you believe, for the race will be ran and soon all that was sacrificed will have been worth it to see the Father and know that you are His and the life you lived pleased Him.
