Question: Why would a loving God give us trials?

Question: We’re told that God uses trials to increase a believer’s faith and trust. Isn’t this out of character with a God who is love?

Response: The writer of Hebrews declares in no uncertain terms that “whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth” (Hebrews:12:6For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
See All...). James:1:17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
See All... tells us that every good and perfect gift comes from God. Paul in turn says that God gave him a “thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan, to buffet me” (2 Corinthians:12:7And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
See All...). He further explains that he asked God to remove it and the Lord said no (verses 8-9). Paul also gave some medical advice to Timothy to help relieve this young man’s stomach problems and his “often infirmities” (1 Timothy:5:23Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
See All...). Why did Paul not heal Timothy as he had so many others? The answer is obvious. Just as God’s gift of a “thorn” to Paul accomplished a specific purpose, so too did Timothy’s affliction.

David was willing to walk “through the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm:23:4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
See All...) because God was with him. This same verse also says, “Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.” Consider the implication here. While the shepherd’s staff was used to gently pull a wayward sheep back into the fold, the rod was used to drive off predators and to direct straying sheep with a judicious whack or two.

What some might regard as a cruel act (or abuse) is really a gift of life! In the midst of severe judgment, Jeremiah wrote down God’s declaration: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah:29:11For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
See All...). Many faithful Christians are able to echo the testimony of the psalmist: “Before I was afflicted, I went astray…” (Psalm:119:67Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
See All...). Even a prolonged bedridden time of illness can be looked upon as “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures…” (Psalm:23:2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
See All...).

Jesus promised joy, peace, and happiness in Him (not in the world). Though promising that tribulation would come, He gave us the promise that He had overcome the world (John:16:33These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
See All...), not that He would necessarily remove our affliction. Paul and the apostles testified of the myriad troubles that came their way. Even though their “outward man perish,” yet their “inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians:4:16For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
See All...). Although it’s not always easy to see how problems can strengthen a believer’s faith, the Apostle Paul testifies to such a fact (2 Corinthians:4:17-18 [17] For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; [18] While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
See All...; 5:1-21; 6:1-10, etc.). The scriptures are filled with examples (see Hebrews 11) of those who through trial, troubles, and great loss were brought closer to God. This does not exclude deliverance from afflictions (Psalm:34:19Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
See All...). We too must all walk in faith. Of even more concern is your assertion that you are unable to find these things in Scripture.