2 Timothy 3:12
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
You cannot live for God without facing opposition from the world and from worldly believers who think you are the problem. Paul understood this truth profoundly and had suffered persecution both from the world, and personal attacks from those who once used to be involved in the church.
God says that if you live godly in Christ Jesus that you will suffer persecution. Persecution comes in many different forms. We often think of persecution as people who were martyred for their testimony, and this is persecution, but persecution also comes in other forms. Persecution comes through harassment, mistreatment, oppression, or trying to accuse you as the problem and isolating you all because you chose to stand for the truth. When persecution comes, it is critical that you act right and do the right things. There are several actions to take when persecution comes.
First, remember that God has delivered you before and He can deliver you again. Paul reminded Timothy that the Lord had delivered him out of all persecutions, and he believed He would deliver him again. God is on your side when persecution comes, and He will deliver you in His timing.
Second, don't change what you are doing, but continue. Paul told Timothy that when persecution comes, he was to continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of. Never let persecution cause you to quit on God. Whatever you were doing for God that brought the persecution is what you must continue to do if you want to stay right with God.
Third, stay in the Scriptures. Paul reminded Timothy that he was taught the Scriptures from a child, and those Scriptures would help him to endure persecution. The greatest action to take in times of persecution is to spend much time in God’s Word. God’s Word will open up more to you in times of persecution than it ever will in times of ease. Stay in God’s Word and let it be your spiritual nourishment and encouragement while others come after you.
Fourth, don't forsake your heritage. Paul told Timothy to continue what he learned, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. The heritage that has been passed down to you is still a great heritage even though it has caused persecution to come your way. Those who are the cause of persecution want you to change; don't give them the pleasure of winning. Continue doing right and embrace your heritage; it will prove you to be right and the opposition wrong if you don't quit.
Fifth, let persecution mature you into a better Christian. Let persecution show you what you need to change in your life, and what you need to add to your Christian walk. God’s Word will help you with this if you will study it and read it while suffering persecution. Persecution will make you a better Christian if you let it do its work of maturation in your life.
Sixth, let persecution stir you to do more good works. Persecution should never cause you to do less for God, but more. When persecution comes, let persecution be your orders to step up what you are doing for God. The best way to defeat persecution is by doing more for God.