Suffering is one of those things that Christians not only will experience, but should come to expect. And for Peter’s audience, this was a very real thing as they were facing persecution at the hands of Rome. But what Peter calls them to is a hopeful witness in the face of suffering, using both their words and their deeds (vv.15-16) to point people to the hope that we have in Christ. In a world where people are looking for hope, especially in the face of pain and trials, Christians have the privilege of showing others where true hope is found.