Preaching during adversity

Has your preaching thrived during your own personal adversity? Steve Mathewson's has:

Like fly-fishing, preaching may be the most productive under adverse conditions. As I reflect on twenty years of pastoral ministry, I realize that some of my most productive times of preaching have coincided with the most difficult seasons in my life.

That's not a very comforting thought, but I think he may be on to something.