Sometimes when existence is pleasant and comfortable, there is little incentive to grow spiritually. We are happy with our life just as it is. In such a case we need to be shaken out of thoughtless satisfaction in matter. We need to see that we cannot depend upon a mistaken concept of life for health and happiness.
While one might seem to find security in a false sense of being for a while, all mistakes must eventually be corrected. Just as one cannot progress in the mastery of mathematics from an incorrect premise neither can one progress in an understanding of divine reality from a mistaken basis. Material existence is the exact opposite of what actually exists right here and now. To find permanent security and joy, one must correct the basic error of believing and trusting in illusory matter rather than in the allness of Spirit, God.
As in mathematics, one goes through trials until he detects and rejects errors and perceives the truth. Trials show us we're on the wrong track and force us to backtrack and correct our mistaken beliefs. They prevent us from straying too far from reality.
