This is a particularly good word from William Gurnall in The Christian in Complete Armour:

Afflictions are a spade which God uses to dig into His people’s hearts to find the gold of faith. Not that He does not seek out the other graces also, but faith is the most precious of them all. Even when God delays and seems to withdraw His hand before coming with the mercy He promises, it is so that He can explore our faith.

Do you find God using the spade of affliction to dig into your heart in this present season of your life? What is He finding in you? May we say to Him with the man in the Gospels, Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.