Part of my Scripture reading today covered 2 Corinthians 1 and verses 8-11 really stood out to me. I wanted to share with you my thoughts on this passage and would love to hear what you have gleaned from this part of Scripture that is full of wisdom.
2 Corinthians 1:8-11 NIV
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. 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. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
While Paul and his companions were in Asia they underwent
trauma that was outside of their ability to withstand. Father had the squeeze on
them so much that they were afraid they were at the point of death. I
wonder what that looked like. What did they go through that made them believe they
were going to die? And, what did they do when they chose
I have been in some pretty intense spiritual warfare where I
feel like I am about to die. It is when I come to the end of self and cry out
to God, seeking Him and His will that the intensity is lessen, self is broken
and I learn and grow in Him trusting that His Word is Truth and He will do as
He says if I obey Him. If Father never sent trials into my life I know that I
wouldn’t grow in Him. Who needs God when you have everything you want? It is
during these tough times when our world is rocked that we look for Him or to Him.
Paul mentions in verse 11 that it is the prayers of those
covering him and his companions that helped them get through the trials. If you
are in a trial be it financial, marital, physical or spiritual you need to be
covered in prayer. Prayer works! This is a very precious tool that we are given
and it is so easy to do. I encourage you to seek prayer covering and often.
Don’t be ashamed to ask for someone to pray for you or to offer to pray for
someone.
Our Father will send tough, hard times into our lives. Like
Paul mentioned these are not to harm us but to help us grow in Him.
Blessings in Christ,
