What is the Purpose of Affliction & Dross Burning?
Sometimes our afflictions are due to wrong decisions of others or ourselves. Sometimes God allows these experiences to teach us, test us, and strengthen us. Dross burning is when God uses various situations to purify our Christian character.
Some of these unpleasant situations are for chastening and correction, and some are for teaching, examination, and testing. Israel, Manasseh, Jonah, etc., as examples of the former, and David, Job, Joseph, and the Lord Jesus for the latter. For the former group: Isaiah 26:16 (EHV) O LORD, they appealed to you in distress. They whispered a prayer as you disciplined them. For the latter group: James 1:12 (NLT) God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Anyway, for the believer, they are not pleasant. As always, God works in us to purify us.