Hi Roy,
I understand what you are saying. Most of us are not persecuted like the apostles were, because they were boldly proclaiming this new truth, to a world that was very hostile to it. Today there is a much lesser element that could be considered hostile to Christianity. They lived in a very different world of religion than we do today.
There are those that reject the truth we may share with them in a way that might be considered persecution.
But for the most part, in our lives we deal we the same thing that the rest of the world deals with, as you said;
Now when one has a bad day at work because they're manager would not get off their case, when you fall and break your leg, when you have a fight with your Wife/Husband, when you are having financial issues, etc. These are not trials and tribulations that are unique to believers! Absolutely everyone in the world has face this at one point of their lives.
But I tend to look at things now differently, as Joe said;
The trials and tribulations of those called to judgment now are a bit different;
1Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
We are going through much the same things as the rest of the world, but it is how we react to these things, that we are being judged by. We are being help by a different standard than the rest of the world. There is much we have to overcome in our lives, to be worthy of the kingdom. Everyday that we are on this earth, is an opportunity to walk in this newness of life and to becoming closer to the image of Christ.
Col 3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
v. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,
v. 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
v. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
v. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,
v. 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,
v. 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
v. 12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
v. 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
v. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
v. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
v. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
v. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
mercy, peace, and love
Kat