That we might place our trust (and hope) in God

When we face trials and difficulties, it’s so easy to rely on ourselves. To depend on our own strength and wisdom to deal with them. I know I do.

And perhaps that is one reason that God sometimes allows things that are too big for us. That overwhelm us. He allows them so that we stop relying on ourselves and start relying on him.

Paul certainly thought so.

He said,

We don’t want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of our affliction that took place in Asia. We were completely overwhelmed—beyond our strength—so that we even despaired of life itself.

Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead. (2 Corinthians 1:8-9)

And in learning to trust and rely on God, he found hope.

He has delivered us from such a terrible death, and he will deliver us. We have put our hope in him that he will deliver us again. (10)

What trials or difficulties are you going through now?

In whom are you placing your trust? In whom are you placing your hope?