Afflictions are God's furnace, by which he cleanses his people from their dross. Affliction is a fire to purge out our dross, and to make virtue shine. Afflictions are medicines which heal soul diseases, better than all the remedies of physicians.Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices
The afflictions of the saints are not judgments, but corrections or trials; they are God's discipline to mortify sin or His means to discover grace and to prove our faith, love, patience, sincerity, and constancy. Well, then, behave thyself as one under trial; let nothing be discovered in thee but what is good and gracious.Exposition, Epistle of James, 6
We are sure of this, that God intends His church no hurt. True indeed, take a single affliction and it will seem to hurt... but view the whole frame, and you will see how one wheel turns about another (like the wheels of a watch), which (though they have cross and contrary motions) all conspire and work together for goodTemple Rebuilt, 15
Afflictions are light when compared with what we really deserve. They are light when compared with sufferings of the Lord Jesus. But perhaps their real lightness is best seen by comparing them with the weight of glory which is awaiting us.