When I heard #BrookLigertwood share about this (video below), it struck a chord that sometimes, ‘The Blessing might look like a wound’.
Sometimes you have to wrestle, get bruised and overcome discomfort. I don’t like discomfort. I actively ‘run’ away from it to avoid pain.
[Genesis 32] – The Blessing
Jacob had mastered how to get his way over the years and it worked most of the time until he had to face his brother, Esau. He sent people to meet with Esau and they came back to Jacob letting him know Esau was on his way with 400 men.
In great fear and distress, he came up with a plan. A plan that was built to effectively minimize his personal pain. He divided his camp into groups, sent them ahead to meet Esau with gifts. If Esau was to destroy them, Jacob would get the memo in time.
Then Jacob prayed, ‘God, save me…’
That night, he sent his family across the stream and he was all alone, vulnerable. Then he had an encounter with a man. He wrestled all night, he was wounded, had his hip socket dislocated, his strategy shattered, but he walked away blessed with a new identity.
God is with you
If you are going through a tough time right now, remember that God answers prayers and He is your very present help in time of need. Letting go might be painful, but trust Him fully! He is giving you a new identity.