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.
2 Corinthians 1:9 NIV
In 2 Corinthians chapter 1, Paul shares one of the severe trials he and his companions faced in Asia. His words remind us of the importance of relying on God when life feels overwhelming and beyond our strength. “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.” (2 Corinthians 1:8 NIV)
The weight of this trial was crushing. Paul admits he thought his life might end. Yet he reveals the deeper purpose. This confession gives us a vital lesson. When challenges come—whether through hardship, persecution, or the cost of faith—who do we turn to first? Do we instinctively try to manage things in our own strength? Or is God truly our first point of contact? Paul reminds us that God uses these moments to strip away self-reliance and draw us deeper into trust.
Jesus taught the same principle in the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3, NIV). The Amplified Bible explains that the “poor in spirit” are those who recognise their utter need for God. They see themselves as insignificant and wholly dependent on Him. To such people, the kingdom belongs. This is what Paul discovered: when we admit our weakness, we find God’s strength.
Paul returned to this theme in 2 Corinthians 12 when he spoke about his “thorn in the flesh.” He pleaded with the Lord three times to remove it. But God’s reply was clear: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV). God did not remove the trial, but He gave enough grace to endure.
Those who humble themselves and call on God will always find His grace sufficient. Their lives become a testament to His sustaining power. Like Paul, we can learn to boast in our weaknesses, not because trials are easy, but because they reveal God’s strength.
This truth invites us to walk each day in humility. We cannot stand in our own capacity. God must be our first and only point of contact. His grace does not run dry; it flows abundantly to those who trust Him.
Living It Out
Take a moment to reflect: when pressure mounts, is God your first response or your last resort? The Lord calls you to lean fully on Him, not only in crisis but also in daily life. Choose today to place your confidence in His strength rather than your own. Remember His promise: “My grace is sufficient for you.” Whatever you face, let Him be your refuge, your source, and your first point of contact. By relying on God, you will find His grace sufficient and His strength more than enough for every challenge.