What is Persecution?

Do we actually know what persecution is or is it something that we heard in history? Today at youth group, one of our leaders message was on persecution, and showed us how we really don't know what it is, we are some what lucky to live in United States but not really. What challenges are faith other then trying to fit in or something like that.
Some of the Queastines I asked my self-
Could I rejoice through pain? Sadly I know that before this serman, no way, I am a wimp when it comes to pain, Mr. Sarr talked about how the christians in I Peter were burnt to the stake for the joy of the ruler to have light in his garden and they were praising God as they were burnt alive. I don't like when I burn my finger on my straightner let alone to have my whole body burning with a fire that wont go out. I would find it very hard to find joy in that. Then the other was Would I find joy in persecution, as well I am a people pleaser which is sin because we are not to have are main goal to please man but God. I encourage you if you did not hear the message: DON'T WASTE YOUR DEATH, to go and listen to it, I was majorly convicted by it.

I Peter 4:1-2
Therefor Christ suffered in his bod, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.

When Mr. Sarr read that verse I thought about how Christ was persecuted for OUR sins, he had so much for love for us that he gave his life for us. He gave what was most important his purity so that we could live with his father, after the sin in the garden we lost the purity that we got when Christ died for us for. Think about it though Christ the spotless lamb died for ALL our sins, the sins that we have already sin and are to sin, Christ was not only gave is life, he had his father turn his back on him.
Matthew 27:51- " At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The Earth shook and the rocks split.

John 3:16 " For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have ever lasting life."