Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been put to grief in various trials,
Peter realizes that joy is mingled with grief as Christians in Asia Minor suffer various trials. Little while denotes the whole of their earthly life before they inherit future salvation. if necessary. These sufferings are God’s will for his people, so that their faith might be purified and shown to be genuine. Such faith has a great reward, for at the revelation (that is, the return) of Jesus Christ, honor and praise will belong both to Christians and to Christ. - ESVSB