“But the children struggled together within her;
and she said, If all is well, why am I like this?
So she went to enquire of the LORD”
(Gen. 25:22) (NKJ)
One cannot walk with God without struggle and pain. The LORD told Adam that his disobedience to His voice by listening to Eve would cause him pain all the days of his life. How would this pain manifest? The ground would be cursed; the very substance he needed to prosper in this life. (Gen. 3:17) That may not sound very encouraging at the moment, but understanding the reason for this struggle is the key to its resolution.
An excellent example of such a struggle begins with the story of Rebekah and her pregnancy with her twins, Esau and Jacob. The children struggled together WITHIN HER.
The struggle is WITHIN US. We can blame the struggle on our geographical location, our family, our church, our pastor, our mate, or our friends, but before the living God, even if doing this seemed to “work” in the past, this won’t work anymore! We have to understand that our primary struggle lies in the truth that we need God to give us a new identity. Although we will continue to struggle with other people, once re-named in Christ, we will have tools to remain at peace with who we are no matter what the struggle.
Jacob began his struggle in the womb of his mother. (Gen. 25:22) Hosea 12:3-4 tells us that Jacob took his brother by the heel in the womb. That was only the beginning of his struggles, both with himself (internal) and with others.
Again, our biggest struggle is internal. We really don’t understand ourselves at all; we want to do what is right, but don’t do it. The Apostle Paul says that we actually do the very thing we hate. Remember there is the law of sin and death at work WITHIN US that causes our will to be at war with our (redeemed) spirit. (Rom. 7:15-23) Interpersonal battles (with others) are NOT with flesh and blood, ever, but of course with a spirit.
Because we are human, we all encounter internal and external struggles that are common to every man. Our struggle is personal and has a name. The list of names is endless and includes: fear, insecurity, guilt, addiction, temptation, discontentment, manipulation, and pride.
THE REAL STRUGGLE
If we honestly search for the root of all our struggles, we inevitably discover that our real struggle is with God Himself. Jacob struggled with God. “And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day” (Gen. 32:24). Jacob was actually in a wrestling match between God and himself. In this struggle, God asks Jacob to tell Him his name. (Gen. 32:27) God already knew his name, but wanted Jacob to admit what was going on WITHIN him. The name Jacob can mean “layer of snares.” Hebraically, a layer of snares is trickery. Jacob also means to be a supplanter, one who wants to take over. The natural man, the flesh, does not want to submit to God. Fortunately for Jacob, this story tells us that the time came for Jacob to face God, get honest with himself, be broken and re-named.
May we be encouraged! Whenever we are in a struggle, God is trying to change our identity and give us a new name.
Here are keys to help us through the struggle:
- With honesty and respect, tell God what you are really thinking. Do you feel things are unfair? Are things too painful to bear? Confess to the LORD as David did. David in Psalm 13:1-5 says “How long, Lord, will you forget me? Forever? How long will You look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with the sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? Turn and answer me, my God!”
- Respectfully complain TO God. I heard a minister once teach that we are not to complain ABOUT God, but to God. There is a way to come before the LORD to express our anguish and disappointment. Moses complained to God and received His help. The children of Israel complained about what God was asking of them, and were destroyed in the wilderness. Our attitude toward and our respect for the Father are critical to our successful outcome
- Remind the LORD of His promise to us. Just before Jacob goes through his struggle with God, he prays. “Then Jacob prayed, ‘O God of my grandfather Abraham, and God of my father, Isaac—O LORD, You told me, ‘Return to your own land and to your relatives.’ And You promised me, ‘I will treat you kindly.’ I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and faithfulness You have shown to me, Your servant. When I left home and crossed the Jordan River, I owned nothing except a walking stick. Now my household fills two large camps! O LORD, please rescue me from the hand of my brother, Esau. I am afraid that he is coming to attack me, along with my wives and children. But You promised me, ‘I will surely treat you kindly, and I will multiply your descendants until they become as numerous as the sands along the seashore—too many to count.’’’ (Gen. 32:9-12)
Jacob struggled with God and WON a personal victory. God gave him a new name, “Israel”. God said, “Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel : for as a prince have you power with God and with men, and have prevailed” (Gen. 32:28).
Learn to use these keys to get through the struggle. Remember that Jacob told the LORD – he would NOT let Him go until He blessed him. (Gen. 32:26).
Love,
P/Karen
