Wrestling for Blessings

Day eighty-two

My prayer this morning was filled with gratitude for the lessons I am learning.  My scripture study has been filled with insights that have given me the ability to see things in a different light.  The events that are currently going on in my life seem to be in correlation with the verses that I am studying.  This is a great blessing to me, and I am so very grateful for this gift.  At the same time, I know that trials are given to prepare us for something, and I am a little nervous as to what my family is being prepared for.  So I prayed that my family would be able to see the blessings that we are receiving through this time of preparation.

Genesis 32
This chapter sets up the reunion between Jacob and his brother Esau, who twenty years earlier wanted to kill Jacob.  There are some great lessons to learn from this chapter regarding trying times:

Jacob Gen 32:1-2
Jacob is visited by angels of God.  God is letting him know that He is with him.

Us
We have the Holy Ghost to be with us to remind us that God is aware of us.  Are we acknowledging that God is with us?

Jacob Gen 32:3-5
Sends a messenger to Esau.  He is not sitting around worrying about it, he is taking an action and gathering information.  He is also looking for the peaceful way to deal with the situation.

Us
We must take action.  Our problems will not just go away, the Lord expects us to be a part of the solution.  We should keep in mind that the approach to gather information should be made in a non-threatening way.  How are we taking action and gathering information?

Jacob Gen 32:6-8
The information gathered does not look good for Jacob.  He does not know the intentions of Esau coming with his 400 armed men.  He feels afraid and distressed, but he doesn't panic, he makes a plan, he divides his family so that they will have the best chance for survival.

Us
We have to have a plan.  Even if a situation looks grim, we need to think things through and make a plan.  We have to be realistic about our plan, it may be that we will not escape our trials without harm, so our plan needs to include ways to prevent as much damage as possible.  Do we panic, give up, or do we make a plan?

Jacob Gen 32:9-12
Jacob knows that he needs help, so he prays to the Lord.  He knows that he must rely on the Lord.  His prayer is of a very humble nature and completely honest, just the way the Lord likes it.

Us
When we realize that the trials in our life are put their to help us come unto Christ, it makes perfect sense that we should pray to God about what is going on in our lives.  Are we turning to the Lord in our times of need in humble and honest prayer?

Jacob Gen 32:13-20, 22-23
After his prayer he appears to come up with an improved plan. A plan still with the goal of a peaceful resolution.

Us
It is important to listen after our prayers for the guidance that the Lord would give us.  The situation might require us to re-think or change our plans to meet what the Lord has requested.  Are we listening to the Lord and are we willing to change our plans to meet His needs?

Jacob Gen 32:27-29
I find it interesting that Jacob decides to be alone at this time.  Alone and in the dark can either be a positive time to think or a time when the weight of your problems seems heaviest.  Jacob in not alone long, the scriptures state that he wrestled a man there until day break. What is up with that?

Us
Although we might not have to physically wrestle someone in our trials, we will have to mentally and even sometimes spiritually wrestle with the issues.  There is a reason for this, we must work for our blessings, especially for those blessings that are life changing.  For Jacob, this is the beginning of his legacy as Israel. He is renamed because he prevails (Israel means 'one who prevails with God') and he is lifted to a higher standard. 

It is the same for us, we are not the same person we were before the trial.  We have gained experience. If we have dealt with the situation in the way the Lord would like us to, then we are a better person and more equipped to deal with issues in the future.  Because we have prevailed with God we too are lifted to a higher standard.

Adversity is a learning experience.  After analyzing this chapter I am taking the view that I am not wrestling with problems, but I am wrestling for blessings.  Blessings that will lead me to become the person the Lord needs me to be and strengthen my relationship with Him.  These are definitely blessings worth fighting for.