When Surrender Feels Like a Wrestling Match

Surrender often feels like a wrestling match. It’s not the quiet, effortless release we might imagine—it’s a raw, intense struggle where our will clashes with God’s. Like Jacob wrestling with God at the Jabbok River, we may find ourselves fighting to hold on to our plans while God invites us to trust Him with something greater.

God meets us in the wrestling. Jacob’s encounter wasn’t a punishment but an act of divine engagement. God didn’t turn away from Jacob’s struggle; He joined him in it. Our wrestling isn’t a sign of rebellion but often an expression of faith, a desire to reconcile our doubts, fears, and desires with God’s purpose.

The wrestle reveals what we truly value. In those intense moments, our hearts are exposed. Jacob wrestled for a blessing, refusing to let go until God gave him what he needed. When we wrestle with God, we often discover what we’re clinging to—control, pride, fear, or even past wounds—that needs to be surrendered for His blessing to flow.

Surrender doesn’t mean we stop struggling—it means we stop resisting. Jacob’s victory wasn’t in overpowering God but in holding on. True surrender happens not when we give up, but when we give in, trusting that God’s plans are better than ours.

“The greatest battles we fight are often within ourselves.” A.W. Tozer, a theologian and author, reminds us that surrender involves internal conflict. Wrestling with God is a refining process where He works in our hearts, shaping us to trust and depend on Him more fully.

Wrestling with God changes us. Jacob left the encounter with a limp and a new name, Israel, meaning “one who struggles with God.” His wrestling marked a turning point—a shift from self-reliance to reliance on God. Likewise, our surrendering struggles leave us transformed, with a deeper understanding of who we are in Him.

The wrestle prepares us for God’s purpose. After his struggle, Jacob faced his estranged brother Esau with humility and courage. The wrestling match equipped him for the reconciliation and restoration God had planned. Similarly, God uses our struggles to prepare us for the work He’s calling us to do.

God’s strength is revealed in our weakness. Jacob’s limp was a visible reminder of his dependence on God. Our own struggles often leave us with spiritual “limps” that remind us we cannot do life on our own. But in our weakness, His power shines brightest, teaching us to lean on Him fully.

Surrender is not the end of the fight—it’s the start of a transformation. What begins as a battle against God often turns into a work of grace within us. The wrestling shifts our perspective, helping us see God’s wisdom and trust His plans over our own.

God welcomes us into the struggle with open arms. He isn’t afraid of our doubts, frustrations, or questions. Instead, He invites us to bring everything to Him, knowing the wrestling will draw us closer to His heart and deepen our relationship with Him.

Godseekers, when surrender feels like a wrestling match, hold on to God with all your might. The struggle is not wasted—it’s where He meets you, shapes you, and prepares you for His plans. Don’t fear the wrestle; embrace it as a path to greater trust and transformation in His hands.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for meeting us in our wrestling. Help us to hold on to You in faith, even when surrender feels like a struggle. Teach us to trust You with every part of our lives, knowing that You are working to transform us through the process. May our wrestling lead us to a deeper relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Personal Reflection

• What are you wrestling with God about right now?
• How can you embrace the struggle as an opportunity to grow in faith and trust?

Step of Faith

Today, take time to bring your honest struggles to God in prayer. Share your fears, questions, and desires openly with Him, and ask for the strength to surrender to His will, trusting that the wrestling will lead to transformation.