2 Corinthians 4:7-11 and Ephesians 5:18-21
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; 8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
God orchestrates our lives in ways to show that the greatness of the power is always coming from Him, not us. He measures out the right amount of affliction so that we are squeezed, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. Paul sounds morose as he lists negative and painful feelings, that is until he gets the whole picture painted. He ultimately declares that we, on our physical side, are identified with Jesus in His death, so that His resurrection life can be manifested in our mortal flesh as well.
Don’t let this get lost to you, it’s quite easily grasped. When you became a Christian God deposited all the riches of His glory in your body (the dying part) so that the life of Jesus (the victory part) can also be revealed You will look at yourself and others will look at you with questions, but once everybody understands that dying has to precede resurrection, you move on in confidence through the affliction of every kind eventually manifesting the saving life of Jesus in your body. Some days this process is painful, some days depressing, others perplexing, but all to God’s glory.
The thing to do is thank God for Himself, His purpose, His plan, and His power, then absolutely surrender to Him, and a walk-on in the fulness of His Spirit, your clay pot holding all it possibly can.
Think about this: Ephesians 5:18-21
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation,
but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.