1 Peter 1 was written for people whose hearts have been significantly broken due to a significant loss in their lives. Even if our losses are self-inflicted, God eagerly awaits with His comfort.
Jesus said, “…if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles because the light is not in him.” So when Judas betrayed Jesus he literally walked in darkness.
Pastors who never apply Scripture to hot-button issues will leave their flocks cripplingly vulnerable when politicians twist the Bible to their own ends.