God's plan is our ruin and our rescue, in order to move us from our dangerous self-relying over to relying on God alone, who raises the dead.-1. Paul was crushed. -v.8--2. Paul expected to die -v.9a-, and that drove him back to- - a. relying not on himself, but only on God. -v.9b-- b. setting his hope on God, who rescues. -v.10--3. Paul asked them to join in praying, and join in thanking. -v.11--Why does God allow us Christians to suffer---Is it -beyond our strength -v.8-- or can we -do all things--- Phil 4-13-Is it -we despaired -v.8-- or -not driven to despair--- 2 Cor. 4-8-Is it -beyond our strength- or -not beyond your ability--- 1 Cor.10-13