Now, if you're really being persecuted or if you're suffering because you are in Christ... Then rejoice! Glorify God for your persecutions, because you are building rewards in Heaven. For those of us in America we don't really know true suffering for His sake. We might lose our job or get called names for believing in Christ, but people in other countries are getting beaten and murdered for their faith in Christ. That's one thing we who are in America should be thankful for, but there will be a day when all of that completely changes. America won't stay free forever, not in the way it's going. So, be thankful that you're an American when America is still a great country. I can honestly say that I've only been persecuted for my faith a few times since becoming a Christian. Most people respect me more for my faith, or they'll just say "Whatever works for you." I don't agree with that statement, but I wouldn't call it persecution. Now, some people have argued with me about my faith and then later on they'll say things like "I respect you for keeping your faith," or they'll show that they respect me because of my deep beliefs in some way or another. So, by keeping our faith and not wavering we also gain the respect of even non-believers to the point where maybe they'll even accept Christ themselves because of how strongly WE believe. So, when you are persecuted keep in mind that if you stick to your beliefs through it all, if you keep Christ the center of your life you might even win the souls of your persecutors for Christ. But to me it's just amazing how many people just throw out accusations that they're being "persecuted for Christ sake," when they have no real evidence of it... and when there are people in other countries who are DYING for Christ sake and taking cruel punishment for Christ sake. Now those people are the persecuted. We may be persecuted on much smaller levels at times, but some people just throw it around like everything that goes wrong is because they're being persecuted for Christ. Please don't confuse persecution for Christ with persecution for wrong-doings because it doesn't make you look any better. It doesn't shine the light of Jesus on the world. Be a light, even if you really are being persecuted just REJOICE and glorify God for it. Jesus was persecuted for being Jesus! It was prophesied that we would all suffer for His sake, it comes with the territory... BUT so does our blessings for enduring it. So, hang onto Christ and don't give up even if you're a victim of the more cruel persecutions: The beatings, and possible death... Hang in there! It's only for a moment compared to your eternity with Christ.