How can we know that God loves us, and that what befalls us is a test and not a punishment, and can one truly feel God's love?

Allah loves steadfastness for His servants and has facilitated for them the paths of guidance by sending messengers, books, and laws. Allah Almighty says: ﴿And Allah wants to accept your repentance﴾ and ﴿Allah wants to lighten for you, and mankind was created weak﴾ and ﴿Allah does not intend to make any difficulty for you﴾ and ﴿What would Allah do with your punishment if you are grateful and believe? And Allah is ever Appreciative and Knowing.﴾ And Allah rejoices at the repentance of His servant, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Allah is more joyful at the repentance of His servant than one of you who finds his lost camel in the desert." It is not possible to definitively affirm Allah's love for a specific person, but it is hoped for the righteous who embody the characteristics and perform the deeds that merit Allah's love for them.