There is no way to know what challenges we face, much less how we can confront those challenges, if we take the sort of “science is settled” approach that Time Magazine has.
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.