The Struggle is Real

I’m sure you’ve heard people say, “The struggle is real.”  For Jacob in the Old Testament, the struggle really was real…for most of his life.  Scripture even records that at one point Jacob actually physically wrestled with God (Genesis 32).   

In this particular account, Jacob was on the cusp of reuniting with his brother Esau, and Jacob did not have high hopes for the outcome of this reunion.  He was filled with fear and trepidation.  Jacob was headed back home and already knew that God had promised him that it was going to work out, but when he learned that Esau was on his way to meet him with a small army of men, he panicked and was gripped with fear.  He took his eyes off of God for a moment, but then to his credit, even though he was still afraid, he approached God in prayer, with humility, and in Genesis 32:9-12, Jacob presented his request to God and reminded God of His promises to him.   

Although Jacob chose to move forward in faith that night after his prayer, he was still desperate.  He needed an encounter with God, and God knew this, and He met Jacob where he was.  Alone and uncertain, Jacob ended up face-to-face with God, and he wrestled with Him until daybreak (see Genesis 32:24-32).  Jacob wrestled long and hard and would not let go of the God until He blessed him.  He even said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!”  And not only did God bless him, but he gave him a new name…Israel. 

Sometimes, our “struggle is real” and we become afraid and are alone and desperately need an encounter with God.  Though we may remember the promises over our life and what God has done for us and will do for us, sometimes we need to wrestle.  We need a “face-to-face” encounter with God like Jacob did.  We need to approach God and hold on with the tenacity of Jacob and plead with God for His blessing in the middle of our circumstance.   

Today, if you are struggling or just need to hear from God, grasp onto Him and don’t let go. 

–Katie Botello