AND SAUL was [not only] consenting to [Stephen’s] death [he was pleased and entirely approving]. On that day a great and severe persecution broke out against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles (special messengers). [A party of] devout men with others helped to carry out and bury Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul shamefully treated and laid waste the church continuously [with cruelty and violence]; and entering house after house, he dragged out men and women and committed them to prison.
Acts 8:1‭-‬3 AMP

Without persecution many will not fulfill or enter into the calling that God Almighty has for them. Sometimes we become too comfortable with our daily routine and we relax and sit back forgetting our main Kingdom mandate. Sometimes we can get excited about how well our lives are turning or how our ministry is booming that we forget that God wants us to reach the world for Jesus Christ.
The early church multiplied in Jerusalem and get so comfortable in such a way that they forgot Jerusalem was just their starting point and not the end of their assignment. The bible says when persecution came they scattered abroad preaching the gospel and the gospel of Jesus Christ spread everywhere.

Now those who were scattered abroad went about [through the land from place to place] preaching the glad tidings, the Word [the doctrine concerning the attainment through Christ of salvation in the kingdom of God].
Acts 8:4 AMP

God Almighty uses persecution to push us out of our comfort zone into the calling that He has for us in Jesus Christ mighty name.

Let’s pray together:

Heavenly Father I thank You for Your word. Thank you for using the trials in my life to push me into the calling that you have for me in Jesus Christ mighty name . Amen