Why does Baba allow his devotees to encounter so many difficulties and obstacles on their path?

According to the teachings in the Shri Sai Satcharitra, the difficulties devotees face are not random but are often created by Sai himself. As explained in Chapter 29, these trials serve as tests to strengthen a devotee's faith. The path of devotion may start sweetly, but it often encounters 'thorns upon thorns,' which can cause doubts to arise. The purpose of these obstacles is to encourage the devotee to remember Sai continuously. By facing these challenges head-on while holding onto faith, the calamities are broken into pieces, ultimately leading to a firmer, more purified devotion.