The true measure of a man’s trust in God is not reckoned while he is keeping the Covenant and Torah and serving God from the security of his peaceful home, surrounded by material success…

Rather, it is measured at those times when catastrophe strikes, when poverty and other misfortunes pursue him.  At such times, his determination to remain trusting is the real measure.  It is at times like these that the righteous man is tested to see if his Divine service stems from true love of God. ~ Sefer Ha-ikarim