(A verse-by-verse study of First Peter from a NCT perspective.)
1 Peter 1:6 [A sure to come deliverance] in which you rejoice exceedingly, if now for a little while it is necessary that you are those distressed in manifold trials.
The prospect of an indestructible, eternal inheritance protected by nothing less than the power of the Almighty is something worth shouting about. And yet we must remember that it is a hope. We are not there, we're here; and while we are here, we should anticipate many griefs.
Peter calls these griefs trials (peirasmos). When a person is accused of a crime, he goes to trial so that his innocence or guilt can be determined by the evidence and the eye-witness testimonies. The apostle instructs us to view our struggles in a similar manner. When difficult circumstances come, our reactions to them prove, one way or the other, whether we have indeed experienced the new birth by God's Spirit or are simply pretending to be converted to Christ. To present the proverbial example, if a man walks up and puts a gun to your head and commands, "Renounce Christ or die!" you are not likely to stand firm if your Christianity has no more substance than the fish stuck on your bumper. The same test comes when following Christ causes you bodily pain or property damage or embarrassment, or costs you a promotion or a job or a spouse or money. The outcome of these hard experiences is proof of your sincerity. Or not. (Cf. Rom. 5:1-5).
These trials come in all shapes and sizes. Peter calls them "various" (poikilos), a word used of Joseph's famous polychromatic coat (Gen. 37:3), and of the assorted afflictions Jesus healed (Matt. 4:24), and of the multi-faceted lusts and desires that we had before our repentance (Titus 3:3), and of the differing miracles that God displayed to prove that Jesus was His Son (Heb. 2:4). Just as all of these things are quite diverse, so also we can expect the forms of our suffering to be varied. They will be different from time to time and from person to person.
Now, for a little while. Compared to the everlasting, unending, infinite amount of time we will spend in Paradise, the present suffering, no matter how severe, is brief. This is not to make light of any affliction, but simply to put it in perspective. Tomorrow will come, but it may not come tomorrow.
It is necessary. The test is not optional; we must take it. After being pummeled with stones to the point that his persecutors thought he was dead, Paul arose and began to teach the believers that, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). Christ's suffering was necessary (Acts 17:3) and so is ours. It has happened, is happening, and will happen to God's people. It is necessary because in God's benevolent wisdom, He will discipline and refine His people. Although it seems unlikely at the time, suffering is an act of God's grace. Therefore, we will rejoice because of our trials.