Revelation 2:3 You have perservered and have endured hardships for My name, and have not grown weary. NIV Bible
When it talks about persevering and enduring hardships, I am reminded about all Jesus Christ went through on my behalf, as well as yours, and everyone onw else's. Being heavy growing up, I would be so crushed when friends would talk behind my back, but Jesus' friend betrayed Him, and another denied knowing Him. And I thought I had it bad!
There were times in my life, I felt disappointed I didn't have as nice a house as others. But, the Lord told someone who wanted to follow Him, that He didn't even have a [consistent] place to lay His head. I felt discriminated against, because I was heavy. People didn't include me in sports and other activities, and didn't even listen to my ideas when within a group, but paid attention to the ideas of others.
When I read how Jesus, our Lord, was ridiculed, spit upon, beat and killed, I am very humbled to I think of how I complained all those years. Jesus had done nothing to deserve this, other than to show kindness to the poor and marginalized of society, healing those who were sick, while healing the hearts of those who didn't know the love He came to share with them. Fortunately for me, He arose the third day after His death, so that I could, and everyone else who loves Him as their Savior, can someday join Him in heaven, where there will be no more tears.
