For a little while . . . you have
been grieved by various trials.
—1 Peter 1:6
We must admit two things about suffering: 1) It exists, and 2) It hurts.
Peter concedes the reality of suffering but says it only lasts for “a little while.”
“A little while” seems unconvincing to the sufferer. It can only be conceived in the big picture of God and eternity. “For [God], a thousand years are as yesterday! They are like a few hours” (Ps 90:4 NLT). Eternity isn’t for now, it’s forever.
In the meantime, our heavenly high priest sympathizes with our earthly suffering (Heb 4:15). William Littlewood wrote, “There is no throb nor throe that our hearts can know, but He feels it above.”
So, Peter rejects a sour note of despair, reminding us that we have “a living hope” and “an inheritance that is imperishable.” (1 Pt 1:3, 4).
In a little while, heavenly glory.