Is Persecution Normal

In a world where comfort is often confused with blessing, reading Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 11:23–30 is like stepping into a different reality—a reality where faith comes at a cost. For many of us, especially those serving in peaceful, modern contexts, Paul’s testimony is almost embarrassing. It’s a reminder of how easy we’ve had it, and how much weight true devotion can carry.

Paul’s list of hardships—beatings, imprisonments, shipwrecks, hunger, exposure, and more—wasn’t a badge of honor in the traditional sense. In fact, he wrote, almost mockingly, that it was foolish to speak this way. But he knew that if people were judging his legitimacy by worldly credentials, then his suffering would more than qualify him as a true servant of Christ.

Not Rome, Not Glamour

Today, when someone hears you’re a missionary, there’s often an instinctive respect—until you say you serve in a place like Rome. Rome doesn’t scream suffering. It doesn’t conjure images of hardship for Jesus. But that contrast only heightens the discomfort when we read Paul’s words. While we might worry about slow Wi-Fi or a late bus, Paul was being hunted, hated, and eventually executed—because of his love for Christ.

Why Does God Allow Persecution?

It’s a question that stings: why would a good God allow His people to suffer?

The answer is both personal and communal. Internally, persecution forces us to confront the depth of our faith. Is it real? Is it strong enough to stand when things aren’t easy? Is it worth dying for? These aren’t questions that get asked often in comfort-driven Christianity—but they’re essential to spiritual maturity.

Externally, suffering is also a witness. Paul’s journey from persecutor to persecuted is proof. The man who once watched Stephen die became the man who would endure beatings, imprisonment, and death for the same message he tried to silence. That transformation speaks louder than comfort ever could.

The Clash of Kingdoms

Persecution isn’t just personal. It’s cultural. As one writer said, it’s “the clash of two irreconcilable value systems.” Christianity will always rub against the grain of a broken world. When faith is lived authentically, it won’t blend in. That’s why Jesus said persecution is inevitable for those who live godly lives.

Historically, persecution has shaped the Church. After the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64, Christians became scapegoats. Misunderstood, mistrusted, and maligned, they were accused of cannibalism (because of communion), incest (because they called each other “brother” and “sister”), and atheism (because they didn’t worship Roman gods). Nero needed someone to blame, and Christians paid the price.

The consequences were brutal. For the next ten Caesars, being a Christian meant risking your life. And yet, the Church grew.

The Call to Endure

So what does this mean for us? Maybe we haven’t faced physical persecution. But have we lived our faith loudly enough to face resistance at all?

James tells us to “consider it pure joy” when we face trials. Why? Because hardship shapes us. It strengthens us. It matures us. Paul echoes this in Romans 5: “Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”

Persecution, in whatever form it comes, is part of the Christian life. It’s not a sign of failure—it’s evidence that we’re doing something right.

Don’t Settle for Comfort

In a culture that prizes ease, don’t let your faith get too comfortable. The Church doesn’t grow stronger when it blends in. It grows when it stands out. When it’s willing to pay the price. When it finds joy even in suffering.

Like the athletes who endure pain and training to achieve greatness, Christians are called to a different kind of discipline. Not for fame or money, but for the Kingdom of God.

The next time the wind is in your face and not at your back, don’t panic. Learn to tack—set your spiritual sails wisely and keep moving forward. God never promised an easy road, but He did promise His presence on the journey.