Did you think that Paul, the strong apostle, knew nothing about despair? But see what he says:

> "We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself." (2 Corinthians 1:8)

Ah, Paul himself said: I despaired. Everything was beyond his ability, and he saw no hope.

But the amazing thing... he didn't say what the distress was! Why? To teach us that the type of distress is not what's important, what's important is how we act within it.

Whether it's illness, fear, persecution, internal pain, or even the feeling of being alone...

Paul continued and said:

> "He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us." (2 Corinthians 1:10)

Meaning: God saved me, is saving me, and will continue to save me. My hope is not in my circumstances, my hope is in God.

If you feel like you've reached the end... remember: No distress is stronger than God's grace.