difficulty

A drowning man will catch at a straw.

is said for

A burden of one’s own choice is not felt.

meaning that

After a storm comes a calm.

conveys the idea that

After rain comes fair weather.

meaning

Between the upper and nether millstone.

describes

Calamity is man’s true touchstone.

suggests that

Don’t cross the bridge before you come to it.

advices

Crosses are ladders that lead to heaven

expresses the belief that

That’s where the shoe pinches!

expresses that

To go through fire and water.

said to mean

Every cloud has a silver lining.

suggests that

All things are difficult before they are easy.

signifies that

Soft beds make hard battles

meaning

Even a worm will turn.

said for

Every path has its puddle.

used to say that

It is always darkest before the dawn.

suggests that

If it's not one thing it's another.

expression when

You must eat a peck of dirt before you die.

suggests that

Every man for himself and God for us all

suggests that

When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

means that

Life isn't all beer and skittles

suggests that

Whatever man has done, man may do

meaning that