A good chunk of this book reads like Paul is telling the Corinthians they are not as great as they think they are. I find some of his message to be humbling, but at the same time to be comforting. For instance, in the first chapter, Paul says the world does not know God through wisdom and that the Corinthians should consider the fact that not many of them are deemed wise, or strong, or noble, or worthy of esteem by the world. He also tells them there is a reason for this: God wants them to boast about him, not about themselves. The humbling part of this is that it says God chose me because there’s nothing special about me—so he gets the credit for what is accomplished in and through me. The comforting part is also that God chose me because there’s nothing special about me—so I don’t have to meet a standard or pass a test to be accepted by him. I find it freeing to know God is fully aware of my inadequacies. I do not have to try and impress him (or anyone else) and I can serve him without worrying if the outcome of my work will accomplish his goals. It doesn’t mean I do less, but it means I can stress less. I should be able to take risks for God knowing that results are his responsibility, not mine. He has always known I’m inadequate for the tasks he gives to me, and he promises his grace is sufficient for what I lack.