But during the night Jacob got up and sent his two wives, two concubines, and eleven sons across the Jabbok River. After they were on the other side, he sent over all his possessions. This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until dawn. Genesis 32:22-24 NLT
Answers to the tough times don’t always come easy. Many times there is a struggle involved. Have you ever prayed with a fervency that made you mentally and physically tired? Have you ever been in a place so desperate, where you needed an answer so bad, that you felt like you couldn’t go forward in life until you had a sense of relief or peace? Surely that is how Jacob felt the night before he met with his brother.
We want answers quick and easy. We don’t like the idea of a struggle. Our trouble is that most of us are used to wrestling in a lighter weight class. We can pin down most of the lightweight stuff pretty easily. But sooner or later, something big will face us and we find out that we are way out of shape. Wrestling with all that light stuff didn’t get us prepared for the trial we face. When we face a heavy weight problem we can’t expect the quick, easy victories we have had before.
When the need is great you and I need a heavyweight faith. Jacob was in trouble. He was desperate. He was wrestling with lifelong problems and patterns. He had tricked his way through life, but now he needed answers, and in a most unusual fashion, God came down in a physical form to test his endurance and determination. He came to see how bad Jacob wanted help. They wrestled together all night long. It is a reminder to us that answers to prayer and life’s problems don’t always come easily.
Is your need great? Are you facing something difficult? Are you tired of being the way you are? Are you sick of the hold sin has had on you? You may have to fight for the victory. How badly do you want it?
Two verses that have often challenged and encouraged me: Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. (Psalm 51:8) The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51:17)
Sometimes God has to break us to make us!
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I may not see in front of me, But I can see for miles around when I look over my shoulder, and Lord, it`s clear. You`ve brought me here, So faithful every step of the way. What can I do but follow you, For You are the Way, the Truth, the Life, And You`ve promised never to leave me, My Savior, my friend, From beginning to end. 
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