The apostle Paul had a lot to say about suffering. In 2 Corinthians 4:17, he described it as momentary light affliction. And he proclaimed in Philippians 4:13 that he could do all things, including bear suffering, through Christ Who strengthened him.
Then why did he write in 2 Corinthinians 1:8 that he felt completely overwhelmed, so much so that he despaired of his life? Paul learned the gut-wrenching truth behind Jesus’ words in John 16:33 – “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world”. He experienced firsthand that, even when he walked through the valley of the shadow of death, God never left him. In the midst of his pain, when there was no one to comfort him, he found God in a way he never knew Him. And because of that, he could share the truth that, in Christ, we are more than conquerors.
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