Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
If persons are truly grounded in Christ, difficulties and trials should only drive them closer to Him, but if our relationship with God is superficial, then, when the going gets rough folks will recoil. This is not to say that the true Christian will not have moments of perplexity, but at the end of the day, when the dust has settled, a closer walk with God is usually the result.
Thus, persecutions and difficulties will either make or break persons. Therefore, whenever true Christians are shaken out of their comfort zones, the result ought to be a much closer relationship with God. In fact, true conversion would cause us to look at trials from the perspective which Christ outlines in the scripture, for trials should energize, and incentivize, but not discourage to the point of turning back.
[Maranatha pp 274] The assaults of Satan are fierce and determined, his delusions are terrible; but the Lord's eye is upon His people, and His ear listens to their cries. God's love for His children during the period of their severest trial is as strong and tender as in the days of their sunniest prosperity; but it is needful for them to be placed in the furnace of fire; their earthliness must be consumed, that the image of Christ may be perfectly reflected.
Malachi 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap. 3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!