Suffering has very much been a part of God’s plan for His church from the beginning.  We have a Savior who suffered.  It would follow that those who are His representatives would likewise follow and be subject to the attacks that He initially bore.  Moreover, God was glorified in the sufferings of His Son.  True faith is always most clearly seen in the face of severe persecution. 

• The first persecution, under Emperor Nero (54-68 AD)
• The second persecution, under Emperor Domitian (81-96 AD)
• The third persecution, under Emperor Trajan (98-117 AD)
• The fourth persecution, under Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antonius (162-180 AD)
• The fifth persecution, starting with Emperor Lucius Septimus Severus (193-211 AD)
• The sixth persecution, under Emperor Marcus Clodius Pupienus Maximus (164-238 AD)
• The seventh persecution, under Emperor Decius (249-251 AD)
• The eighth persecution, under Emperor Valerian (253-260 AD)
• The ninth persecution, under Aurelian (Lucius Domitius Aurelianus (270-275 AD))
• The tenth persecution, under Diocletian (284-305 AD)

Although many tried to wipe the Christian Church from the face of the earth, they failed to do so, for Christ will have His Church upon the earth until He returns. 

• Constantine the Great, emperor of Rome (306-337 AD) brought respite to the Christians. “As a result of his splendid virtues, there was great peace and tranquility in the provinces he governed.”

1 Peter 4:12-19—Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; ¹³ but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. ¹⁴ If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵ Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; ¹⁶ but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. ¹⁷ For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? ¹⁹ Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

There is a way to suffer well for the sake of righteousness.  Here, Peter is telling us to keep the right focus.