We’re familiar with Paul’s list of the hardships and persecutions he endured for the sake of the gospel, recited in 2 Corinthians chapter 11. In chapter 12 he talks about the “thorn in the flesh” that he implored the Lord to relieve him of, only to be told, “No.”

But back near the beginning of the letter there’s something else, which seems to have been even worse. Some translations soften it, which is a disservice in my view. This one seems to capture the raw intensity: “We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it.” (2 Cor 1:8 NLT) Others conclude it, “…we despaired of life itself”.

Crushed. Overwhelmed. Beyond endurance. Convinced they wouldn’t survive. Ever felt like that? Many of us have, actually—and if you haven’t, chances are pretty good that at some point you will. This is rock bottom. Just about all of us will hit it, some of us again and again.

But before mentioning this experience, look what Paul has to say:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. (verses 3-7)

What an amazing attitude! Comforted in all his afflictions, so much so he’s devoted to comforting others through it all. These words of Paul have been a comfort to me, and I know to many others.

It’s only after these words of comfort that Paul admits to how bad the ordeal has been. He’s saying: “Pay attention: Comfort is the context of suffering.” This is a profound insight. It turns everything around. Then he goes on, after verse 8:

Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. (verses 9-10)

Another insight: The context of the death sentence is hope.

Then, he has a request: “You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.” (verse 11)

In affliction of whatever kind, Paul leads us by example to the right response: Rely on God, not ourselves. Trust His deliverance—He’s done it before and will do it again. Oh, and if turns out that you do die, no problem! He is the one who raises the dead! That’s what we’ve set our hope on. And so, we do not lose heart. He says exactly that:

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (chapter 4:16-18)

Would any of us think Paul’s afflictions were “light, momentary”? Only by contrast with the eternal weight of glory. “See the unseen,” he counsels us. “It changes everything when you do.”

All of us get to feeling crushed beyond endurance. Not just once, either. It’s just about certain some who read this right now are feeling it. If Paul were still alive, he would be saying, “I know exactly what your pain feels like. Please, please, take comfort!” And what would the Lord Jesus say? “I know it exactly. I’ve been there, and I’m right here beside you—not visible, but can you see me? Listen: Our Father raises the dead! I’m living proof. Take comfort!”

Love, Paul