Note 66 at Jn. 15:18: Satan will often try to use persecution or affliction to get us into self-pity. It always helps to recognize that our problem isn't unique. Peter shared that afflictions were common to all believers (1 Pet. 5:9) in an effort to encourage the saints, and Jesus is here employing this same truth to keep His disciples from being offended (Jn. 16:1).