Are you having a difficult time of it? Many people would say "yes" in at least some area of their lives or another. The original recipients of Peter's first letter were having a difficult time of it too, but Peter nevers told us what was their situation. For us, it is better that the difficulties of the original recipients remain imprecise so that we might more easily identify with them and with the message of the letter. Although this letter is very practical, Peter included a brief but dense and sublime theological section at the beginning so that we may understand the foundation of all the practical counsel he gave us.