How do we know God's purposes in our afflictions?

The purpose of God in our afflictions is illuminated by His Word, particularly in passages like James 1:2-4, which encourages believers to count it all joy when they face trials, as these trials produce perseverance. Additionally, the winter metaphor used in Scripture reflects the nature of suffering—though harsh, it is temporary and produces a richer spiritual harvest. This theological understanding aligns with the Reformed perspective of sovereign grace, where the believer's trials are orchestrated by God for their ultimate good and His glory, as seen in Ephesians 1:11, where God works all things according to the counsel of His will.