Have you ever wrestled with God? Who won?
When we were younger, one of the most-watched programs on KBC TV was wrestling! I still remember characters like the Undertaker, Yokozuna, and other men with scary names coming into the ring and pulverizing their opponents. It was not an interesting thing to watch, but for some reason, we loved the show!
In the past few weeks, I have been thinking about what it means to wrestle with God, as in really wrestle with Him and say “No, I don’t want to do it your way,” while He says “No, you must do it my way!” So what usually happens when I go through this ‘wrestling’ period?
I get an idea in my head…
That light bulb moment is usually so exciting, especially after thinking about a problem for ages! You think about it, pray about it, ask trusted friends for solutions, pray about it some more, then an idea pops up. The best thing about this idea is that it fits perfectly into the problem – just like a missing puzzle piece. Then, just as you are about to put the idea into motion, you remember to ask the Lord about it! Hmm….
I take it to the Lord in prayer…
Lord, you know that thing I have been praying about for a while now? Well, I think I have found a solution, and I wanted to ask you if I should go ahead with it. Please let me know, Lord. I am ready to do whatever you tell me to do. Amen.
He doesn’t say anything…
Yep. He does not say a word. There is not even a hint that He could be sending a response through His word, people around me, or in my spirit. All is silent.
(This comes as no surprise, though. Did you notice that my prayer states that I have the solution already, and I just need God to give His approval?)
I keep praying…
Maybe I just need to pray a little more. There could be something that I am missing, something that I am not hearing. Or maybe, just maybe, my solution is not what God wants for this situation.
So I pray a little more. This time the prayer goes something like this. “Dear Lord, You know all that I have been asking you for in the recent past. Lord, I ask that you show me what to do next and that you lead me in the right direction. Amen.”
He says something – but it’s unclear.
As soon as I say “Amen” I hear something. The words are very soft, though, too soft to hear clearly. I don’t get the message, so I frantically ask God to say them again. But – you guessed it – He’s quiet again. I then try to piece together the words I heard, and they do not make sense! Once again I go to the Word and consult my more ‘spiritual’ friends, but nothing. The message came and went, just like that.
Back to square one.
I keep praying…
Back into the closet I go, hoping to hear more clearly this time. Minutes, hours and days pass, and I still can’t hear anything. Then one day, out of the blues… an answer comes.
He says no.
No??? After all this time? Why didn’t you say that at the beginning? Why were you silent all this time? I could have used that prayer time to intercede for the world!!
I will assume I did not hear the “No.”
He says no again.
This time the “No” is clearer than ever. I am not ready to obey, though. I feel cheated. Why make me pray for so long just to get this kind of an answer? This is not fair!!! Say Yes!! Please, say Yes!
We wrestle.
Does the Lord agree to my demands? Oh no! He says no again, and I say yes. We begin to wrestle. I put all my strength into my demand for a ‘Yes,’ but He holds me tightly with my arms pinned behind my back, waiting for that moment when I will relent and surrender to His will. I put up a spirited fight, but eventually, I give up. Fighting against God is too hard, and it’s certainly not worth it.
I finally say yes.
Bruised, and shattered, I surrender to the Lord. I agree to do whatever He wants me to do. As He moves from restraining me to embracing me, I begin to understand the reasons for His answer. God restrained me from doing what would not please Him or what would go against His perfect plan for me. He said no because He knows what is best for me. He held me back out of love.
He wins.
God wins the wrestling match. It’s not just His victory, though, it is a victory for both of us. God now leads me in the right direction and promises to walk with me until the end of the journey. I get to have an awesome traveling companion who loves me unconditionally. I finally understand that the ‘No’ is the best thing that could have happened to me.
I have peace.
I wouldn’t have it any other way. God’s way is best. I don’t have to worry when He is in control.
Do you ever go through seasons where you find that you are wrestling with God? Maybe it’s time to surrender and to let Him carry on with His plans for your life. You don’t need to worry, because God loves you and will never send you into something that He is not prepared to carry you through. Stop wrestling with God. Surrender to Him. He knows best.
Proverbs 19:22 “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” (ESV)
Amen.