2 Corinthians 1:8-9 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

Despite their original source and evil intent, the apostle saw these events as being lovingly refashioned by the omnipotent Lord into something spiritually beneficial; motivating them to rely on God.

By focusing his astounding powers on senseless, anti-God violence, the Almighty transformed his enemies’ frenzy into the very opposite of what they intended. What they hoped would annihilate God’s loved ones, ended up fostering the spiritual development of those they planned to destroy.

How frightening and futile it is to rage against a God so powerful that he turns his enemies’ every hate-filled attack into a blessing that furthers his own loving commitment to keep spiritually strengthening those who love him!

Taken from The Spiritual Value of Suffering Trials

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