First of all, Paul says that God is a Father of mercy. That is to say, God is not a mean and cruel God. God is a God who looks with compassion on his children. How many of us have not thought ill of God when we go through some tribulation? We say: Why, if God is good and loves me, does He allow me to live these things?

However, even in the bad times we go through, this is still true. God is always merciful, because he never changes. So even in afflictions God continues to show us his mercy. Furthermore, these afflictions are a sample of God's Fatherly love for us. Whom God loves, He disciplines (Hebrews 12: 6).