“For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life” (2 Corinthians 1:8, NKJV). The Greek word for pressed in this passage means “heavily burdened, grievously crushed.” Paul was telling these saints, “Our crisis was so serious that it almost crushed me. I thought it was the end for me.”
When Paul says he was so burdened that he despaired of life, we can know he was truly at rock bottom. In other passages, he downplays his sufferings. You may recall how he simply shook off a poisonous snake that had attached itself to his hand. He was shipwrecked three times, yet he mentions this fact only in passing to make a point. Paul was beaten, robbed, stoned, and jailed, yet through it all, he never complained.
However, the apostle was at a point of total exhaustion. I believe this “trouble” he endured was mental anguish. We cannot know exactly what Paul’s trouble was, but 2 Corinthians 7:5 gives us a hint: “When we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.”
I believe Paul was referring to the pain the people he ministered to caused. False teachers in Corinth had tried to turn the people against him. Now Paul feared his flock would reject his message and follow men who did not have their interest at heart.
He was consoled when Titus arrived, bringing him good news about his beloved children in Corinth. Paul writes, “Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more” (2 Corinthians 7:6-7).
Like Paul, I have felt this kind of anguish. At times, the words of people I have loved and helped have felt like knives in my back. In such troubled times, it’s the prayers of saints that have helped me through.