2 Corinthians 2:8-9
8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.
To be human is to face discouragement and despair. Those in minister especially face discouragement because of the spiritual warfare in which they engage. We have our plans and dreams for family, work, or our daily schedules, but these are often frustrated, ruined, or changed. When this is repeated long enough or often enough, we begin to feel defeated. In ministry, discouragement comes when people to do not respond to one’s message or spiritual guidance. Sometimes we experience discouragement because of physical struggles, financial challenges, a loss of job, loved one, marriage, or other things. We should not misinterpret Paul here and say that all of our struggles are because of God. We don’t know enough about the trails he faced, but he did see God working in the situation. Many of our troubles are caused by our own poor choices or sins, or the poor choices or sins of others. Others are simply accidents. God’s in His sovereignty will not allow us to face trials beyond our ability with His help.
No matter what we are facing, we can turn to the One who can raise even the dead, who brings hope from despair. Verse 9 reveals a key theme in this letter: that God brings newness, hope, and strength to help those facing difficult times.