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READ: GENESIS 32:24-32; HOSEA 12:3-5; EPHESIANS 4:22-24\n\n\n\nWhen I was an RA (resident assistant) in college, I had this resident who used to tell me she and God had been \u201cwrestling\u201d about something. She would spend entire days with the Lord, crying and repenting, and wrestling with Him about different behaviors and attitudes in her life.\n\n\n\nNow, I had been a Christian for a while at that point, but I didn\u2019t understand what she meant by that. Why would God, as she would say, \u201cknock her out\u201d like that?\n\n\n\nBut then tonight, nearly two years later, a friend and I were talking about a ministry role that she is in. She made a reference to how she and the Lord are \u201cnegotiating\u201d how long she\u2019s going to be there. And I realized that I think I finally know what my resident meant.\n\n\n\nI\u2019ve had so many situations since those conversations with her when the Lord and I have wrestled. When we have negotiated. When I have wanted my way, and the Holy Spirit has convicted me otherwise. I\u2019ve had cry sessions in the car when I\u2019ve confessed to the Lord that I can\u2019t do this. I don\u2019t know how to do this right.\n\n\n\nAnd while we may metaphorically wrestle with God, in Genesis 32, a man named Jacob actually physically wrestled with God. Then, God gave Jacob a new name: Israel, which means \u201cstruggle (with or of) God.\u201d\n\n\n\nI\u2019ve learned so much from having these vulnerable moments with God\u2014not that you\u2019re necessarily changing God\u2019s mind on something, but you\u2019re engaging with Him, learning from Him, and redefining your heart to His purpose. Together. \u2022 Natty Maelle\n\n\n\n\u2022 Many Bible scholars think that Jacob actually wrestled with Jesus, who is God the Son. Jesus loves us, and He welcomes our wrestling matches. He knows we won\u2019t always understand His plans, decisions, or commands. But when we don\u2019t like what He has to say, He doesn\u2019t want us to ignore Him or try to hide our thoughts and feelings. He wants us to be totally honest with Him! He wants us to tell Him about how we feel and wrestle with Him over it. That doesn\u2019t mean He\u2019s going to change His mind, but it will help us know\u2014and trust\u2014Him better.\n\n\n\n\u2022 Are you wrestling with something right now, but you\u2019re afraid to give it to the Lord? Jesus has your best interests at heart. He loves you and wants to help you grow. Holding back from Him can only keep you from the goodness He offers. What do you need to wrestle with Him about today?\n\n\n\nSo let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)