Knowing Allah.

Bismillah.

Some maxims mentioned in “Islamic Spirituality I” from The Hikam:

“Do not let the delay of what you are fervently praying for discourage you, or dishearten you – for He has Guaranteed you the answer in what He chooses for you (not in what you choose for yourself) and when He wills, not when you do.”
(Ibn Atallah, Maxim 6, Chapter 1, The Hikam)

“One of the signs of relying on deeds is loss of hope when missteps occur.”
(Ibn Atallah, Maxim 1, Chapter 1, The Hikam)
In other words, although we must take all the means necessary to attain our goals, we must rely in Allah alone in all affairs. If we start to lose hope in Allah because we make mistakes, we are relying on our deeds not on Allah. Even if missteps occur, we should always hope in Allah.

Sheikh Nuh Mim Keller furthermore comments: “One sin after another sin is punishment for the first sin. And one good deed after another good deed is the reward for the first good deed.”

“Whoever does not draw near to him by the gentle graces of kindness, is led to Him (Allah) by the chains of tribulation.”
(Ibn Atallah, Maxim 63, Chapter 7, The Hikam)
In other words, “either you fix yourself, or Allah will fix you.” One of the signs that Allah loves us is that he brings forth a trial which leads us to return to Him for help and guidance.

“One of the signs of the death of the heart is lack of sadness over what you have missed of acts of worship, and being without regret over what you have committed of misdeeds.”
(Ibn Atallah, Maixm 48, Chapter 6, The Hikam)

“Let no sin loom so large in your eyes that it stops you from hoping for the best from Allah; for whoever knows his Lord deems his own sin paltry in the face of His generosity.”
(Ibn Atallah, Maxim 49, chapter 6, The Hikam)
In other words, Allah’s Mercy is vast and so we should never lose hope in seeking His Forgiveness.