The soul will never become pious and purified except through undergoing afflictions. It is the same as gold that can never be pure except after removing all the base metals in it.
Ibn Qayyim Al-JawziyyaThe heart, in its journey to Allah, Majestic is He, is like that of a bird; Love is its head, and fear and hope are its two wings. When the head and two wings are sound, the bird flies gracefully; if the head is severed, the bird dies; if the bird loses one of its wings, it then becomes a target for every hunter or predator.
Ibn Qayyim Al-JawziyyaBe sincere in your aim and you will find the support of Allaah surrounding you.
Ibn Qayyim Al-JawziyyaThere is no joy for the one who does not bear sadness, there is no sweetness for the one who does not have patience, there is no delight for the one who does not suffer, and there is no relaxation for the one who does not endure fatigue.
Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya