Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf (1 Peter 4:16).
Christianity will sometimes include suffering. Jesus told His disciples that suffering for His Father’s sake would be coupled with a greater spiritual blessing (Matthew 5:10-12). Paul included that, “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3).
Peter now encourages Christians not to be ashamed of the suffering they are experiencing. Their tribulations are merely evidence of their allegiance to Christ.
Early Christians counted persecution as one of the most honorable things they could endure (Acts 5:41). It was in their suffering that they were found to be the most like Jesus!