I did not suffer much as a kid, but when I did, I hated it and felt terrible. When you are seven years old and all the class stands for the National Anthem - you only know that you can't do, it or something far worse than the teacher's wrath will happen to you. I can still remember that sinking feeling when you realise that some "test" is looming. And then there is the loudmouth kid who taunts and makes your life hell.
As an adult it was different. When someone threw a cup of water over me from an upper window, out in the ministry one day, I felt GREAT. I had been persecuted for "the Lords sake" I made a show of taking off my coat and carrying on the next door with my nose in the air. I basked in the glory of that, down at the Hall, for a week or two.
Of course we cannot relate to those sad souls who have been beaten or killed for the sake of their faith . It is interesting to compare their comments with other political or "faith " prisoners. The attitudes and courage are not unique to JW after all, with or without the Holy Spirit