For we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about the affliction and oppressing distress which befell us in [the province of] Asia, how we were so utterly and unbearably weighed down and crushed that we despaired even of life [itself]. Indeed, we felt within ourselves that we had received the [very] sentence of death, but that was to keep us from trusting in and depending on ourselves instead of on God Who raises the dead”. 2 Corinthians 1:8‭-‬9 AMP‬

The apostle was so much afflicted in such a way that he was in despair of self. In other words he stopped trusting in his own ability or he quit hoping in what he could do to change his situation. Then he found out only God Almighty can turn His hopeless situation around.

Persecution teaches us not to trust in ourselves but to put our trust in God. Moreover, for many of us, if not of the many persecution or trials we have been through and are still going through we will never know what it means to completely surrender our entire being God Almighty and trust Him to turn the situation around.
(Please read Isaiah 38).

However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves”. 2 Corinthians 4:7 AMP

The devil uses trials and persecution to destroy us but God uses trials and persecution to teach us not to trust in ourselves.

Let’s pray together:

Heavenly Father I thank You for Your word. Thank you for teaching me not to trust in myself but to completely or totally depend, lean or rely on you in every circumstances that comes my way or which I find myself in Jesus Christ mighty name. Amen