What is your advice to one who has been afflicted with a severe trial in this worldly life?

Allah tests His servants with whatever trials He wills to examine them and purify their faith. Therefore, the believer must be patient and content with Allah's decree. A trial may be for the expiation of sins, or for raising one's rank, or for distinguishing the true believers, or as a punishment for some sins. The Muslim must turn to Allah through supplication, repentance, and worship, for supplication repels and alleviates trials, as happened to Ayyub (Job), peace be upon him.