What is visualization of gradient flow of a functional?

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I don't work on functional analysis but during my study, I faced gradient of a functional. I read its definition, but I can not understand why it is a useful tool? Why if a flow can be written as a gradient flow, we would be happy?!

I know the answer about the gradient of a function, but have no idea about the gradient of a functional!

Can anyone help me? Thanks for your attention!