When the Lord finds a saint whom He loves -loves much- He may spare other men trials and troubles, but He will certainly not His well beloved one. The more beloved you are the more of the rod you shall have... It is an awful thing to be a favorite of heaven. It is a thing to be sought after and to be rejoiced in, but remember, to be one of the King's council-chamber is a painful blessing...Sometimes when we plead for our adverse circumstances to change, God simply makes us content where we are. Many saints have found riches in poverty, ease in labor, rest in pain, and delight in affliction. Our Lord can so adapt our minds to our circumstances, that the bitter is sweet, and the burden light.

- Charles Spurgeon

Surely, you came to my mind, Ariel.