The phrase "an example of the difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when illustrating or highlighting specific challenges or problems in a discussion or argument.
Example: "The recent economic downturn is an example of the difficulties faced by small businesses in our community."
Alternatives: "a case of the challenges" or "an instance of the obstacles".
Mr. Domenici and other lawmakers said the stalemate was an example of the difficulties in drafting energy policy, an area where regional clashes dominate and efforts to help one sector often end up drawing opposition from another.
Addressing the party faithful in Brighton this week, Business Secretary, Vince Cable highlighted the north as an example of the difficulties that the Lib Dems are facing in being outflanked by Labour on the left.
If the Obama administration wants an example of the difficulties involved in destroying chemical weapons, it might reflect upon its own struggles to get rid of cold-war era chemical arsenals stockpiled in tightly controlled storage facilities in Kentucky and Colorado.
As an example of the difficulties facing any authority that replaces Mr Morsi, analysts point to the issue of fuel subsidies.
We cited the story as an example of the difficulties scientists face when trying to ensure that policy is informed by good science.
As an example of the difficulties the analyst can face, consider (1) to (3) below which have been taken from previous studies on process type analysis.
The Achilles paradox is an example of the difficulty that ancient Greek mathematicians had with the idea that an infinite series could produce a finite sum.
That misstep in programming was an example of the difficulty of translating a creative commodity — a band, a television show, a film genre — into an itinerary that stretches for days.
They would cite the early season problems of the Athletics and the Chicago White Sox, two of the three defending A.L. division champions, as another example, an example of the difficulty of teams on the lower half of the salary scale to maintain excellence from year to year.
