II Corinthians 1:1-10

“Blessed be … 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” (v3-4). Paul, as a leader, freely admitted that he had passed through some terrible times. Once, he and his friends were “so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself” (v8). Rather than hiding this trouble, he passed on the proven comfort he had received from God.

The experiences that are “beyond our strength,” according to Paul, teach us to rely not on ourselves, but on “God who raises the dead” (v9).