Consolation Granted Through Prayer

For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

 2 Corinthians 1::8-10

Why does it seem that troubling times make you discover that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have? What a profound question to consider when feeling hopeless. Such challenging times often come unexpectedly, so it's important to think in advance about your go-to solution when hopelessness becomes prevalent. In Paul’s second letter to the believers in Corinth, he reflects on how God comforted him during these times of trouble. As the Scriptures above note, his reflection is described as the sentence of death. Paul felt defeated, leading to a deep sense of hopelessness. Why would someone feel that death is approaching unless they feel hopeless? The trouble that Paul encountered in Asia seems hopeless, but his situation revealed only one remedy, which is to trust in God. So, Paul looked beyond the hopeless situation to God since only God can revive a hopeless situation into a positive experience to comfort others. For this reason, Paul witnessed a unique deliverance that he credited to God, and he encouraged the believers at Corinth to have the same trust when they, too, encountered hopelessness.  

In situations where hope seems scarce, I encourage you to rely on Jesus rather than yourselves. Even when your situation becomes uncontrollable, allow it to guide you toward total dependence on a loving and comforting God. Then you wait for the outcome through prayer so you can have the same experience as Paul by saying in whom we trust that He will yet deliver us.