What does the Bible say about the afflictions of believers?

The Bible presents afflictions as not merely punitive but as sanctified sorrows that can draw believers closer to God. In Jonah 2, we see Jonah cry out to the Lord from the depths of his affliction, indicating that suffering can lead to a deeper relationship with God and reliance on His mercy. When believers experience the burden of their sins or the pain of life's troubles, it is a reminder of their dependence on God's grace. These experiences are meant to foster a greater reliance on God and often serve to turn our focus back to Him in times of distress.