1 Peter 1:6

1 Peter 1:6 ‘In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for. little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials'

“In this you greatly rejoice” -Not only their trials, but in all that has been said (1 Peter 1:3-5). In the fact that they have been born again, the living hope they possess, their inheritance and their protection. “Greatly rejoice”-overjoyed, to leap for joy (Matthew 5:12; 1 Peter 1:8; 1 Peter 4:13).

“even though now for. little while, if necessary” -Compared to eternity, earthly suffering is only for. little while (Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Peter 5:10; Hebrews 11:25). The expression “if necessary”, means that God isn't cruel, He doesn't like to see people suffer. Rather, when suffering comes, it's not simply. toss of the dice, or some arbitrary event, rather it is happening because the freewill of others is being respected, etc…

“distressed by various trials” -‘Distressed'-cause pain, grief, make sorrowful. Notice: Suffering does hurt! God doesn't have the Christian ‘pretend' that suffering isn't happening. Neither does God argue that suffering is simply an illusion. Peter certainly wasn't. Christian Scientist. He believed that when trials happen, people are distressed. The word ‘various' suggests that suffering come in many forms, i.e. verbal attacks, physical abuse, hunger, loss of employment, becoming. social outcast, being shunned by family members, etc..