1 Pet. 1:6-9 - Trials serve to prove faith

6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,
7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls..

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vs. 6 - "... rejoice... " - Praise the Lord, that he provided that we may be as He is, through faith. The phrase "In this ..." seems to refer to the salvation given to us and will be revealed later mentioned in verse 5. See 1 John 3:1,2 Look at how great a love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children. And we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know Him. Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him because we will see Him as He is.

"... distressed by various trials ... " - Trial serve to prove our faith. "Prove" can have a couple of directions it can go -

1. To confirm as real and true, such as proving a theorem, to determine if it is correct, if it works as proposed.
2. To test and make mature and complete. Trials are also of little consequence, considering the glory we have in store. This could seem to be a glib statement considering the trials you may face in your lifetime - loss of a spouse, or child, a tragedy which might include a senseless death or incomprehensible injury or disease. Trials are of consequence in this lifetime, in that we may learn to trust in the Lord in any and all circumstances. You would think it would be easy to trust in the Lord when things are going well. Somehow, it doesn't always work out that way. Living good seems to dull my 'need' to depend on the Lord for everything. It is during dire circumstances that we truly lean on Jesus. C.S. Lewis said in "Screwtape Letters" that any faith that folds up under duress is not worth much. See: 2 Cor. 4:17 For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory; James 1:2-4.

Side note: Are all trials that we encounter for our benefit? Or are some of our trials simply the result of a fallen, sinful world? Or are some trials the result of poor decisions on our own part? Can any trial be used to make us a better believer?

vs. 7 - "proof of faith may result... " - He is not speaking of salvation, but the rewards after salvation. See: 2 Tim. 4:7,8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. There is reserved for me in the future the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.; See also Heb. 4:1; 1 Cor. 3:13-15; 2 Cor. 5:10; James 1:2-4.

"...more precious than gold ..." - Gold, and all other metals (solid at normal temperatures) are purified by heat. The longer the heat is applied, and the hotter, the more pure the final result. The impurities (called dross) are burned off, or sometimes float to the top and are skimmed off. But no matter how pure the final product, for example gold, the result is not permanent. It is perishable; it can be lost, stolen, or just wear away. See: Job 23:10 - ...when He has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold; See also Prov. 17:3; Isa. 48:10; Zech. 13:9; see also, Matt. 6:19-21.

vs. 8 - "...have not seen Him, You love Him... believe in Him... " We can love the Lord by faith, and need not have every thing proved to us ("Unless I handle it with my own hands, I will not believe..."). We need not doubt the Lord. Because we can trust the Lord to keep us safe, we know that He loves us, and we can love Him. See John 20:29; Acts 1:9-11.
At the same time, God does not condemn us if we have questions. I believe God would rather have us our brains, challenge, search, seek for the answers. Thoughtless acceptance give us no means of defense when our faith is challenged. "Always be ready to give a defense for the hope that is in you." 1 Pet. 3:15.

vs. 9 - "... outcome of faith is salvation..." We often think of 'salvation' as the end of things, being in heaven with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. And this is true. But Jesus came that we might be free here on earth. The final outcome is eternal life. In reality, eternal life seems ethereal, beyond understanding. I think it would be hard to remain faithful simply for that alone. We can believe God, He does not lie. He has promised this. Wrapping your 'head around' that concept is not easy. God has given us freedom from sin, freedom from shame and guilt, power to live a sanctified life. He has given us peace. He has given us power, through the Holy Spirit, to overcome our pet sins, our favorite failures. See Rom. 6:22 - But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life; and see Rom.1:16,17; Rom.10:9-10. See also: Eph. 2:8,9; John 3:16.

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