"For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant about the trouble we went through in Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure and thought we would never live through it. In fact we expected to die. As a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely on God, Who raises the dead." 2 Cor. 1:8, 9

As brothers and sisters in Christ, we should keep each other informed about our struggles while serving the Lord. Paul does not reveal the threat he and his seven traveling companions faced. It could have been mob violence in the riots at Ephesus, some serious sickness, or any number of the dangers Paul described in 1 Cor. 11:23-26. How can we intelligently pray for one another if we don't keep in touch? We are exhorted to "Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Gal. 6:2). Have you ever had a life threatening experience where human resources failed, and relying on yourself was futile? Best we learn to rely upon God!