Thanks both for your comments. I think its important to have a proper understanding of what God desires of us when he sends trials. Is his intention to discover our inner potential or is his intention for us to learn to depend on his grace? Even as a Christian, I think we can hold beliefs similar to the Sufi quote and act accordingly. In doing so, when we find our skills/resources inadequate for the situation we can deal with fear and when we find ourselves adequate we may deal with pride. But God’s desire is for us to depend on him, so that we neither fear nor boast but simply act by God’s grace and bring him glory as Paul does in 1 Cor 15:10.
I agree. I too think I heard it before as part of a Christian sermon at some church, but I cant recollect where. To me it evokes a feeling that God is going to just stand by and watch me struggle though I need his help. It gives an incorrect picture of who God is and can make it difficult to turn to him for help in prayer.