Paul could say this to the Corinthian church because he went through troubles in Asia. They were crushed and overwhelmed beyond their ability to endure and never thought they would live through it. However, this death in their circumstances resulted in them not relying on themselves but learning to rely only on God who is able to raise every dead situation.

Abraham had a promise from God that it was through Isaac his seed would be reckoned. God then asked him to sacrifice Isaac. The Bible tells us Abraham reasoned that God was able to raise Isaac up from the dead because His word must be fulfilled. We serve a faithful God who expects total reliance on Him and not on others, ourselves or on what we perceive with our physical senses. Our confidence must be in Him and His abilities alone. Our strength should come from settling down in complete dependence on Him. When we go through this process, we have the ability of God within us to bring comfort to others who may face similar circumstances in life.