Genesis 32:24-26, NKJV “Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And he said, ‘Let me go, for the day breaks.’ But he said, ‘I will not let you go unless You bless me!’”
Very few significant changes come about without significant pain. Don’t give up. Enduring the right pain brings the right change that leads to lasting blessing. Jacob had prevailed and was blessed by God.
Genesis 32:28, NKJV “And He said, ‘Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.’”
Some of your battles must be fought alone. During those times, learn to depend on God, fight with God, and trust in God. Push past your pain to God’s plan.
Psalm 118:8-9, TLB “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in men. It is better to take refuge in him than in the mightiest king!”
Multiply your trust in the Lord! Let your past pain remind you of God’s planned future. Pain can have a purpose. Pain, with a purpose, is always worth the pain. Pain can be wasted. Pain wasted always worsens the pain. Choose to allow the pain to have a purpose, or it will worsen. Many times our greatest ministry comes from our greatest pain.
Today’s Challenge: What change might you make to bring about God’s purpose for your life? What past pain have you gone through that God might want you to use to help others?