Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned:
The servant should take up the courage to carry out righteous works, and then Allah Ta‘ala will cause his endeavours to materialise and be fruitful. This can be understood through the example of a father who sees his infant child trying to walk. The child takes a few steps and then falls. The father feels pity for his child and helps the child by picking him up and carrying him in his lap.
Hence, just as the father wishes to see the child make an effort in trying to walk before he assists him, similarly Allah Ta‘ala wants to see us make an effort to please Him, and then He will assist us by causing our endeavours to reach completion. (Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 23/106)
Source: Ihyaauddeen.co.za