When I am weak, then I am strong.
—2 Corinthians 12:10
2 Corinthians is Paul’s most autobiographical letter. He writes of the deluge of problems that assaulted him: beating, stoning, hunger, persecution, imprisonment—it’s a long list (2 Cor 11:23–29).
How bad was it? “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” (2 Cor 1:8–9).
Then there was that “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor 12:7–9). Whatever it was, it was uninvited, unwanted, and inescapable
You may feel kinship with Paul. Big problems: uninvited, unwanted, and inescapable. Try to handle your adversity as he did: Rely on God, not on yourself (2 Cor 1:9). His grace is sufficient; his power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor 12:9).
When you get to the end of your rope—turn loose.
The everlasting arms are below you as well as above you.