How do we know God appointed our afflictions?

In 1 Thessalonians 3:3, Paul states that believers should not be moved by afflictions because they are appointed thereunto by God. This doctrine reveals that God is sovereign over all events, including the sufferings His people endure. Such trials are not random but are divinely ordained for a purpose — to strengthen faith, refine character, and ultimately, bring glory to God. Recognizing that afflictions are given by God allows believers to respond with hope and assurance rather than despair.