“For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead.” ((2 Corinthians 1:8–9))

Ministry does not prevent a person from getting discouraged. In my own life, there is pain in my body, pain in my soul, pain in my heart and pain in my family. And pain can do funny things to a person. Apart from the really drastic results, it does lead to discouragement and even to the point of despair.

Paul knew all about pain: from circumstances, from people and from his physical ailments. There was a point that he even despaired of life. What did he do with his pain? Simply stated, but difficult to apply, he trusted the God who raises the dead. No one is more powerful than God. No one help like God can.

In my pain, I need to do what Paul wrote,

“Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” ((2 Corinthians 12:7–9))