I thought I
would share something that has been very helpful in my walk with God. About 10
years ago, I was very depressed, day after day. One morning I said to God, “I’m
not leaving this bed until I feel better.” So, I lay there telling God all my
feelings and all the things going on in my life that made me sad. I asked for
courage to face the day and for some kind of hope.
After maybe
an hour, I did feel better and got up. That one lesson taught me what it meant
to wrestle with God. I remembered Jacob who in the Bible, wrestled with God all
night. When God said to him, “Let me go for it is morning.” Jacob said, “I won’t
let you go until you bless me.”
I would have
thought that a bit presumptuous, but God didn’t. He asked, “What is your name?”
“Jacob,” he
replied.
God said, “Your
name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, (Def: He struggles with God.) because
you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
I’m not a
Bible scholar. I’m not altogether sure what Jacob’s struggle means except that
when I told God I wouldn’t stop praying until I felt better, my circumstance felt
similar to his. Jacob was trapped by his brother coming to meet him, perhaps
with the intent to kill him. I was trapped by my sad feelings that would not go
away.
Jesus said, “Peace
I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Do
not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
