Let me share with you the apostle Peter's advise to Christians as per suffering for being a Christian and standing up for our faith; "Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? And also, “If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?” So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.
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1 Peter 4:12-19 NLT. It can be surprising when Christians claim to be surprised at being persecuted. Today, Christian suffer for just calling themselves Christians or wearing an emblem that says I am a Christian. Recently, some big businesses banned having Bibles within their premises or even the mention of God. Their claim is that being Christian is discriminatory. Peter says our suffering make us partners with Christ, we are sharing in his suffering, and that it's a privilege. If you are a Christian, never forget, it is not a shame to suffer for being a Christian. Your persecution is proof you do not belong to the world.
