How do we know that God loves us when we face suffering?

God's love for His children is manifest through the discipline and chastening He provides during times of suffering. Hebrews 12:6 clearly states, 'For whom the Lord loves, He chastens.' This indicates that our trials and tribulations are not signs of abandonment but of a loving Father's corrective hand. God desires to shape us spiritually and conform us to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. Recognizing that such afflictions serve a purpose can help us understand that God's love is operational even during our hardships. Additionally, it is through these experiences that we grow in faith and reliance on Him, as we learn to trust and depend more deeply on His grace in times of need.