Where do you go when life is hard?
We all go somewhere—whether to people, distractions, our habits, or the comfort of old routines. We all lean on something to get through. The real question is: what or who do we lean on when we’re anxious, disappointed, or weary?
In 2 Corinthians 2:12–17, the Apostle Paul gives us a raw, vulnerable glimpse into one of those unsettled seasons. This is a seasoned leader, church planter, and missionary… and he’s anxious. Tired. Grieving. Unsure of what’s next.
He’s in Troas, standing in the middle of an “open door” for ministry—God is clearly at work—but he has no peace of mind. Why? Because Titus hasn’t shown up. Titus was supposed to bring news of how the Corinthians responded to Paul’s hard letter. Would they reject him completely? Had everything he built in Corinth collapsed?
So Paul does something both practical and profound: he leaves. But he doesn’t just leave Troas to look for Titus. He turns his heart back to Jesus.
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession…” (v.14)
This verse is a dramatic shift. Paul moves from distress to doxology—from anxiety to worship. Not because the circumstances changed, but because his perspective did.
He reminds himself (and us) that we are part of something much bigger than our problems: Christ’s triumphal procession.
In ancient Rome, a “Triumph” was the highest honor a general could receive. It was a victory parade celebrating total conquest. To qualify, the general had to achieve all of the following:
If approved, the general returned home to lead a spectacular parade through the city. Picture this:
That’s the imagery Paul borrows—but he’s not celebrating his victory. He’s proclaiming Christ’s.
Jesus is the conquering King.
He defeated sin. He overcame death. He disarmed hell. And He is not leading a once-in-a-lifetime parade—He’s leading a daily, eternal victory march.
Paul says that Christ “always leads us” in this procession. We’re not just watching from the sidelines—we’re in it. We’re not marching to earn the victory; we’re marching from victory.
Even when your life feels uncertain. Even when anxiety or heartbreak cloud your vision. You are still in the victory parade of Christ.
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33
Paul continues:
“For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” (v.15)
In Roman Triumphs, incense burned along the entire parade route—symbolizing victory and offering worship to the gods. To the Roman people, it smelled like celebration. To the prisoners being paraded, it smelled like defeat… and often, impending death.
Paul applies that metaphor to the Gospel.
Wherever we go, we carry the aroma of Christ. To those being saved, it is life-giving. To those rejecting Christ, it’s offensive—because it confronts the reality of sin and the need for a Savior.
And this is important: our job is not to change the aroma.
We don’t water down the Gospel. We don’t dilute the truth. Paul warns:
“Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit…” (v.17)
In Paul’s day, dishonest merchants would dilute wine with water to stretch their profits. Similarly, some preachers diluted the message to please people or gain influence.
But Paul says, Not us.
We speak with sincerity.
We preach with truth.
We represent Jesus faithfully—whether it’s popular or not.
This passage is rich with theology, but it’s also intensely practical.
Paul was in a painful season—misunderstood, abandoned, uncertain—and still, he clung to the reality of Christ’s triumph. And we can too.
When you’re unsettled…
When the future is unclear…
When you’re tempted to spiral into self-pity…
Remember:
In the end, Paul chose not to center his suffering.
He could’ve made it all about himself.
But instead, he made it all about Jesus.
What would shift in your life if you did the same?
What if, instead of clinging to control, you clung to the certainty that Christ is in charge?
What if, instead of modifying the message to be accepted, you trusted in the power of the undiluted Gospel?
What if, instead of making life about your comfort, you lived to carry the fragrance of Christ?
That is what Paul did. And it’s what we’re called to do too.
You don’t have to win the victory—Jesus already did. You just have to walk in it.
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