that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ--
By Peter's striking this note of suffering early in his letter, he was only stressing that which had been stressed by the Master himself (Mark 8:31-38); and Peter would return to this, again and again, throughout the epistle  (1 Peter 2:21; 3:14-22; 4:12-19; 5:1,10).  (See under the Outline in the Introduction for discussion of themes recurring throughout the epistle.)  Thus the sufferings of a Christian must not be viewed as any "unscheduled disaster overtaking him without the will of God, but on the other hand as the very route by which the Lord Jesus wrought his wonderful redemption."[22]