more insight as to where trials often come from: For you, Oh God, have proved us: you have tried us, as silver is tried. You have caused men to ride over our heads, we went through fire and through water: but you brought us out into a wealthy place (Psalm 66:10, 12). God takes us through the fires of persecution, tribulation, and temptation to purify us, not to burn us. He takes us through water to cleanse us, not to drown us. Look at the reason God chastens His children, given in Hebrews 12:9-15: