RELEASED: Living From Our True Identity, Part 9
SCRIPTURE
To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death. - Revelation 2:8–11
MEDITATION
Pearls are formed by irritation, gold is refined by fire, and diamonds are made valuable only by intense pressure. In the Bible there’s a word for this kind of suffering…Thlipsis (θλῖψις). It’s scattered throughout the Bible and is often equated to crushing persecution or deep emotional stress. It’s a suffering, as seen in the church of Smyrna, that comes from doing what is faithful.
Thlipsis is God’s tool for forming identity and establishing value… not his consequence for sin.
Following Jesus is costly. While Jesus still has my “yes,” this “yes” has been financially, relationally, legally, professionally, and emotionally very costly. We are all called to pick up our cross daily and follow him (Mt.16:24). We are invited to “boast in the hope of the glory of God…in our sufferings” (Rom. 5:2b–5).
Yet if I’m honest when thlipsis hits, it doesn’t feel like transformation; it feels like abandonment. It’s exhausting, and it’s easy for me to slip into believing ungodly lies (especially when the suffering intensifies after I’ve done my repentance and forgiveness work).
“Does God really love me? Is God really good? ...and good to me?”
“Am I good enough?”
“Do I really belong?”
“Is the cost of following Jesus worth it?”
“Is Jesus really Good News to all?” (Is. 61:1–2)
Instead of partnering with the lies and running away, I’ve learned to lean into the nights of weeping, identifying the feelings of cost, betrayal, and exhausting disappointment—with God, in prayerful lament.
When people ask me how I’m doing I now choose to say, “I’m becoming a diamond.”
Yes! Following Jesus has been extremely costly, but it is worth the cost. The gospel is truly good news.
I am still a beloved child of the King of Kings even when I suffer…
The thlipsis is not only seen by the God who calls me “rich” and promises that I get to wear the victors’ crown, but my identity of becoming a diamond means encountering the intimacy and provision of my God, who weeps with me and fills me with the Holy Spirit of fire.
I can testify that God’s provision, in his perfect timing, is beyond miraculous. I am honored to encounter the intensity turning me into a pearl, gold, and a diamond.
I am one of great value, and will be faithful to the end—when I’ll be clothed in the victor's crown and with a robe of righteousness.
REFLECTION
Where are you experiencing the thlipsis (suffering/cost) of being faithful to Jesus?
Name and lament the cost with Jesus in prayer.
Name the facts of the situation and the raw feelings you carry in your heart and mind.
Stay in the wrestle with Jesus and ask him to reveal any lies you are believing about yourself or about God as you experience diamond-making pressure.
Repent and renounce any lies.
Forgive anyone you may need to forgive.
Ask God for the truth of who God is and who God is making you to be. Ask him to show you the victor’s crown he is preparing for you and listen for any promises or scriptures that he wants to give you. What’s the identity God is forming in you through your faithful suffering?
I bless you, In Jesus’s name, to become the Diamond of Value you were meant to be.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christy Johnson is located in Torrance, CA and serves as a Novo Wellness Shepherd—specializing in inner healing and trauma healing. She also serves on the Catalytic Resource Team (CRT), collecting, curating, and creating resources for Novo field staff. When not ministering with Novo, Christy loves being silly and having dance parties with her 5-year-old daughter. She loves hiking and camping and is currently enjoying experimenting in baking and adding different flavor combinations to her homemade sourdough bread.