According to Baba's teachings, what is the connection between personal suffering and meeting a saint?

Chapter 18 explains a powerful connection between suffering and spiritual guidance. When a soul falls into great distress and becomes weary of the world, it remembers God in its misery. However, the name of God may not come to the lips until the 'tide of bad deeds recedes.' At that point, the Lord, seeing the person with love, arranges a meeting with a saint. As the text illustrates with the story of a distressed devotee, this encounter is a pivotal moment. Chapter 18 notes that even a moment's association with a saint can make a restless mind steady and attach it to the feet of Hari.