Early Christians, those who followed Christ, were afraid of Saul. Saul had held the coats of the men who stoned Stephen. Acts chapter 8:1-3, says “Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen.
A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. 2 (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) 3 But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.”
Christians today also face persecution – that means bullying (sometimes even being killed).
Christianity is difficult in several countries.
But God always makes a way. When Saul was arresting new Christians in Jerusalem, many of them left the city taking their faith with them. Many churches began in the cities these people moved to including Rome. God is very good at taking something bad and using it for a good purpose. He turns mourning into dancing, ashes into beauty, and your mess into your message. Give Him your life and see what He will do with it.