“Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;”  2 Timothy 1:8

There are afflictions of the gospel and every Christian should be ready to partake of them- so he calls us soldiers. He expects us to be tough in the face of persecution, just like Jesus:
“…Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;”  1 Timothy 6:13
and to always have an answer through the Spirit to every opposition we might face, just like the examples we have in the word of God:
“…And no man after that durst ask him any question.”  Mark 12:34
“Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.” Acts 6:9-10
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”  1 Peter 3:15
What he does not anticipate is that you cry in despair or some form of hopelessness because of the persecution you might face, no wonder he says partake according to the power of God! Just like Jesus, in the face of staggering opposition, with the power of God, you can still heal the sick!
“And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.”  Luke 22:51