Genesis 32:24-25, "So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man."

Think

"God painfully perfects who he royally elects." Our instinct in life is to never lose; it's to survive. But there is a wrestling match we desperately need to lose and this loss could be the catalyst for lasting change. Jacob found himself in this kind of match wrestling with "the man." Up to this point in Jacob's life he had deceived his brother, defrauded his father, and dissed his family. He was living up to his name, which means liar. But Jacob was now in the fight of his life and this was a fight he needed to lose! Jacob was wrestling with "the man," who was really God. With one touch, God took the strongest part of Jacob's anatomy out of action. Jacob was now a broken wrestler, but ironically in the best place to be blessed. He was no longer in control of the match. He was now in the place of surrender. How often we all find ourselves wrestling with life situations and have no idea that "the man" is behind the situation. We struggle mightily believing we need to win in order to be blessed. The truth is we need to be broken. Where are you fighting today that you need to surrender?

Act

Take this moment to reflect on the life situations in which you find yourself in a real wrestling match. It could be your marriage, your job or education, your family, or a significant relationship. Now consider the possibility that God is behind this situation wanting you to surrender and trust him. Throughout the day pray the prayer below as you encounter these life wrestling matches.

Pray

God, I now see that this wrestling match (name the life situation) is not the real fight. My struggle is with you and right now I surrender to your control and give this (name the life situation) to you. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.