a person faces a problem? or a problem faces a person?

[optimistic pessimist]

Dear all,

I'd like to ask how to use the verb "face".

1. Paul faced a big problem.
2. A big problem faced Paul.

I think #1 is fine, but I'm not sure if native English speakers say #2.

Thank you!

OP

[billmcd]

Dear all,

I'd like to ask how to use the verb "face".

1. Paul faced a big problem.
2. A big problem faced Paul.

I think #1 is fine, but I'm not sure if native English speakers say #2.

Thank you!

OP

I think we need a survey on this, but I would go with #1.

[bhaisahab]

I'd go for 1 too.

[5jj]

I'd go for #1, but I had the feeling that #2 didn't sound wrong, so I tried COCA. Nothing for 'faced (except as a participle followed by 'by') + person' or 'faces ...', but several for 'problems face ...' and hundreds for 'problems facing ...'.