After six intense weeks on the road, watching hundreds of people surrender their lives to Christ and many baptized in the Holy Spirit, Easter weekend marked my first real time off. You’d think I’d enjoy the rest. But honestly? I hate being bored.
Because when I slow down… I start to think.
And when I think, the grief creeps in. It overwhelms.
I found myself aimlessly flipping through TV channels. Nothing held my attention until I landed on wrestling. Odd, right? But as I sat there watching, something began to stir in me.
The Spirit started reminding me of all the Scriptures where wrestling shows up. I realized I’m in a season of wrestling myself.
So today, I want to share these thoughts with you.
Let them give you focus as you enter what I believe will be an extraordinary week of supernatural blessing.
- Jacob Wrestling
Genesis 32:24-28 — “And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
We read about the encounter between Jacob and the angel of God. The name Israel, given to Jacob, means “to contend” or “to strive.”
It can be interpreted as “God contends” or “He struggles with God.” The name Israel is first given to Jacob after he wrestles with the angel of the Lord (Genesis 32:28). It signifies one who has struggled with both God and humans and has prevailed.
You may ask, “How am I wrestling with God?”
Many of us wrestle with Him when it comes to choosing between our will and His.
But sometimes, the real victory comes not from wrestling for control but from finally surrendering.
- Discipline for the Fight
1 Corinthians 9:27 — “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.”
Just like a wrestler trains in the natural for the fight ahead, spiritual discipline sets us up to win life’s unseen battles. It’s about shutting down the flesh in favor of what strengthens our spirit.
Spiritual discipline might look like spending intentional time with the Lord through prayer and studying the Word.
- The Real Opponent
Ephesians 6:12 — “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities…”
Your battle isn’t against people. It’s against spiritual darkness, and prayer is your weapon.
Fight your battles through intercession, supplication, and making your requests known to God. Fight in the name above all names, Jesus.
Like me, you might be in a season of wrestling. You could be facing opposition, difficult circumstances, or grief. I hope this encourages you to remember that you’re not alone and that the Champion of all battles walks with you, step by step.
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