Sorry to hear about you and your husband's struggle, it's great that it ended up bringing him and his mom closer to God!
A lot of the suffering and blessings I get are in rapid succession over an extended period of time and my faith has remained at the same 'level' throughout everything, and, in my opinion, has always been at a pretty high level. I feel like it could be a punishment for some of the things I have done. I am a sinful person, I've looked at married women with lust, and I gamble on the stock market. Throughout the past few years I have repented of these things but I still seem to cycle through insane events that most people never seem to experience or only experience once in their lifetime despite being a relatively young man myself. I genuinely think I could get diagnosed with cancer or lose a limb in these next few months. I had a dream this morning where I was at my dad's funeral (he is still alive). I feel like if these things were to happen I would still believe in God, so I think there is also a possibility I am going through a trial, but I am not certain.
I wish there was a definitive way to know by reading scripture. Because terrible things happened to Job, and he was a righteous man, but terrible things have also happened to terrible people like Nebuchadnezzar.
Thanks! <3
If you have repented for the sin you did, and are working on keeping from it, then it can't be punishment. God doesn't punish people after who ask for forgiveness and turn from sin. The point of pressure by instances (if punishment) is to get someone to turn from sin and back to God, but if you've already done that, then it wouldn't be punishment.
If your faith is the same, then maybe hes calling you closer to him in general. Trials aren't always for just faith, it could be the close/bond of the relationship where he could be calling you to seek him in prayer more, read into his word more, go to him more with your struggles so he can guide you better. For me personally, my own struggles led me to seek the Lord more often in general whether that's prayer, scripture or just asking for guidance. Our relationship with the Lord is a 2 way street and the bible says if you draw near to him, he will draw near to you (James 4:8). Also realize that the world is full of problems in general and just because something bad happens, doesn't mean, its necessarily a
bad thing. For example: You could say, "my boyfriend left me!" And you could be upset, but who says that automatically is bad? That could be a blessing in disguise because they weren't right for you. So I think it depends and thats why I said only you can answer the question on if its a trial, punishment or not but I would advise you to seek the Lord and ask him. He 100% answers every prayer, so he would answer you.