Facing persecution

“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted...” 2 Timothy 3:12
Here’s a verse that most of us probably wish wasn’t in the Bible. But when Jesus taught His disciples about following Him, He didn’t say it would be a bed of roses. He told them on several occasions that persecutions were in store – but that they were to count these as a blessing (Matt. 5:10-12. See also Mark 10:29-30 and John 16:33).
The fact is, once you become a Christian, you suddenly find yourself in enemy territory. Like it or not, the world is under the control of Satan (1 John 5:19, 2 Tim. 2:26). If we live godly lives, being salt and light in the world, you can be sure that the enemy will try to bring you down. He wants to discourage you to the point where you cease to be effective for God. But as long as you are a threat to him, he will keep trying to attack you.
We should not think at all that persecution is some strange thing (1 Pet. 4:12), or that it is God’s judgement upon us. Far from it! – rather, it shows whose side we are on. God has promised to protect us in the persecutions that will certainly come our way, if we are living for Him in faithful obedience.