Perplexity. This is a good word to describe the way many believers feel during times of earthly upheaval and uncertainty. The apostle Paul was acutely familiar with perplexing situations. In 2 Corinthians 4:8, he writes, “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair” (emphasis added). Paul knew what it was like to sustain physical and spiritual torment. In context, Paul (not to mention his fellow co-laborers) was at a crossroads in his ministry and life in which it was tempting to hoist the proverbial white flag for not completely understanding why life was the way it was, why people were living as they were. To borrow the timeless words of Marvin Gaye, Paul vehemently expressed, “what’s going on?”
But he did not despair. What was his secret formula to contented success? How did he keep a level head during times when false followers and stubborn saints abounded? How did he continue being faithful in his personal ministry to those many would gladly forget?
The more we read and study 2 Corinthians, the more we observe there is no classified formula for Paul. His “formula” was Jesus. It was the gospel. It was simple faith and resolve to constantly behold the wonder of the Lord instead of giving his heart undue real estate to mull over things that can only be perfectly controlled by an infinite, holy, all-knowing God. (Please note, I am not advocating silence concerning real world issues and injustices. My aim is to help us espouse Paul’s perspective on the perplexities of life.) For Paul, tough times led him to the trenches of trusting in the sovereign Lord, not to self-pity or renunciation of his call to make Jesus known that Jesus might be revered by the nations. He was led to deeper prayer and perseverance, not passivity and hopeless prostration.
Scan with me the few pages of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians to garner 3 ways in which, by the Spirit of life and hope, he learned how to switch what the enemy meant for evil into precious opportunities to warm his affections for Christ and those he came to save. (Two points will be posted today, one tomorrow.)
Switch #1: Paul refused to let affliction lead to despair; rather, he was led to deeper relationships.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 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. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.
Instead of despairing, Paul oriented his mind and heart to consider who God is—the God of all comfort and mercy. Instead of despairing, Paul viewed affliction as the catalyst to shift his focus outside of himself. Because he understood God’s comfort, he couldn’t help but share the abundance of God’s goodness with others who needed to delight in the Father’s freeing comfort. Instead of despairing, Paul understood the relational deepening that can occur in times of unrest—greater longing for communion with Jesus and greater care for others in the faith, not to mention greater intentionality in patiently enduring hardships side by side. Paul looked to Jesus, and his gaze caused him to see clearly not his own plight but the ways in which he was called to rescue others from the pit of despair. What is our “instead of despairing, ________”? Are we moved to see the God of all comfort? Are we motivated to comfort others, having been comforted in the most supreme way—being forgiven of sin and reconciled to a holy God? What is affliction leading us to do? Are our relationships deepening as result of the perplexities of life?
Switch #2: Paul refused to isolate himself and downplay the presence and angst of affliction; rather, he discovered its purpose.
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
Let us connect what came before verse 8. Paul commented in verse 7, “for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort” (emphasis added). In verse 8, Paul now expresses his desire to reveal afflictions faced in Asia versus conceal the experience. Even though the word "despair" is used in the English translation, the meaning is to lack physical life due to intense suffering. This leads Paul to write that he and his co-laborers felt they “had received the sentence of death.” He lets others access his emotions, the way the pain feels. Yet, he doesn’t invite others to feel sorry for him. He invites them in to share in God’s comfort. He invites others in to learn of God’s greater purpose for suffering. Seasons of affliction shouldn’t end with a sentence of death, but rather a reorientation of perspective. Paul tells his audience that through his suffering he learned more intently to rely on God. We could say he was given a lesson in hope, a lesson in God’s faithfulness to his people. God delivered Paul and his cohorts from peril, and it instilled within them a holy expectation for God to do the same in the future. God’s faithfulness was now the basis of their motivation to live confidently solely for the renown of Christ’s name. This resolve included the desire for partnerships in prayer. Again, Paul is moved by God’s goodness to look away from self to glean a greater understanding of spiritual things and deeper, more meaningful collaboration with God’s people. In light of current perplexity, are we growing in our reliance on God? Are we seeking with holy fervor to establish partnerships in the service of King Jesus?
Look for the next installment of this blog tomorrow. It points us to the wonder of the gospel's power to look ahead to a glorious future.