Hardship of any type will prioritize what is important.There's some times I would think persecution would be better... At least I couldn't focus on my own selfish desires.
When it comes to be a Christian, I'm my own worst enemy.
When it really comes down to it, if we were to lose this country as we know it, we could still be completely in our faith.
Many have mixed the two up for too long and will have to work that out when the time comes.