Peter had earlier described his readers as exiles, strangers in a strange land. That reality came with struggles. That they nevertheless rejoiced indicates that these exiles were focused not on the troubles of the here and now but instead on the treasures that were to come. To say it differently, the immensity of the riches coming tomorrow made today’s poverty seem insignificant (Psalm 16:11). More, if this God can guard you today as you journey to the Promised Land (1 Peter 1:5), there is no reason to be dismayed at today’s struggles while you await the glories to come. See also Matthew 5:11–12, Acts 5:41. To say it with the analogy of 1 Peter 1:3, it was so much better to be born (again) than to be still confined to narrow restrictions of the womb.
6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,