Persecution is a normal and expected thing in the lives of those who truly follow Christ. The Lord Jesus said it so Himself:
"Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also." (John 15:20)
Because the Lord Jesus told us that persecution will come, we should at least prepare for it to come.
Preparing for persecution
One of the best ways to prepare for persecution is to try and avoid it. While we certainly cannot expect to share the Gospel and preach the painful and life-saving truth of Christ's substitutionary atonement without being ridiculed or rejected, we can at least find ways to avoid being harassed for it.
The Lord Jesus showed us that it's not a bad thing to avoid unnecessary harassment stemming from persecution. Luke 4:28-30 tells us,
"So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way."
John 10:39 also tells us of another time when Jesus avoided it:
"Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand."
That said, here are a few things we need to know about persecution, according to the Bible.
1) The very people we love can persecute us
Did you know that a prophet has no honor in his own country? The Lord Jesus Himself said that according to John 4:44, indicating a truth that we should all take to heart:
We can face persecution from the very people that we've treated well and loved.
It's a Biblical fact that Jesus came to earth bringing division. He said in Luke 12:51-52,
"Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three."
If we believe in Him and follow Him, we can expect that those who don't believe in and don't follow Him will treat us differently than those who follow Him. That's a fact.
2) It's not wrong to avoid or escape persecution
If Jesus Himself walked away when people were about to stone Him (especially since it wasn't His time yet), we should at least realize that it's not wrong to walk away from situations not favorable to our own safety as God's people.
Many of God's people escaped persecution so that they could continue doing the work of God. Paul was lowered in a basket (Acts 9:25), Peter walked out of prison (Acts 12:5-27), David ran away from Saul (see 1 Samuel 21), and yes, Jesus walked away from His persecutors.
They all needed to keep themselves safe so they can fulfill the purposes of God. We ought to do that, too.
3) We must keep praying
Fact is, persecution will come in one way or another.
Instead of being surprised when we're persecuted, we should keep praying. Persecution or no persecution, the Christian ought to pray all the time. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us,
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
