Momre Blessings

First things first. The kingdom of heaven is present around you and me. Mostly unseen, but there. And so we pray that God's will be done here on earth the same as it is in heaven. Visible and tangible and real. But then there's the curse. That wretched bind that refuses to release our hearts and minds fully to God.
That said, we move to Jesus' words. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. I could go into a long description of different types and intensities of persecution, but that isn't what I need to do. Persecution is for you and God to hash out. I believe He knows it better than I, so ask Him.
Here's the thing, though. When you let Jesus act through you to show his love and power in the world, you may get strange looks. You may be ousted, even from those claiming to know God. Wherever it is from is irrelevant. In that moment of pain, you experience a small taste of what Jesus endured for you. You also get an open window into the kingdom of heaven.
Your eyes are a little more open to miracles. You see God working a bit more and hopefully take initiative in pitching in. Maybe gifts become revealed to you. The thing is you are walking closer with God, sharing in his suffering be it ever so little.
For this reason, rejoice when you are persecuted. And don't get down. Pay attention and see if God doesn't let you in a little more intimately than before.