Power made perfect in weakness
Ever experience a situation, where a family member, friend, or co-worker says: "there is NO benefit whatsoever in suffering or adversity. God's probably withholding his blessings from you, until you get over this weakness, or, become more religious/spiritual". Our 'old-self' old identity that scripture refers to, will also suggest similar thoughts and feelings. These are normal/typical lies, similar to the incorrect advice the prophet Job's friends gave him. Scripture and the teachings of the Saints, tell us a different story. God's power IS perfected in us when we're weakened , when we suffer, or when we're persecuted.