How do we know God uses afflictions for good?

Afflictions serve a divine purpose in the life of believers, as God uses them to prepare us for an eternal weight of glory. In 2 Corinthians 4:17, the Apostle Paul explains that our light and momentary afflictions are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. These trials are not meaningless; rather, they redirect our hearts and minds from temporary struggles to the permanent, weighty glory of Christ. While our afflictions feel heavy, they remind us that we are not home yet and help us long for our eternal dwelling with God.