How can the noble verse "We have certainly created man into hardship" be understood, given that God is merciful to man?

The exegetes differed regarding the meaning of Allah's saying: "Verily, We have created man in kabad." Some said it means in toil, hardship, and struggling with the affairs of this world and the Hereafter. Others said it refers to the uprightness of creation and the erectness of stature. Still others said it signifies strength and intensity, and some said it means in the middle of the sky. The objection to interpreting "kabad" as hardship is unfounded, for affliction is a mercy from Allah and carries great rewards for the believers, just as true comfort is only found in Paradise. Ibn Ashour was of the view that "man" in this verse refers to the disbeliever, and "kabad" is the distress he faces due to his rejection of the truth and the turmoil of his belief.