SERMON QUOTE
“It’s worth noting that doubts need to be managed. We do not need to fear them, but we shouldn’t ignore them – they can lead us to wrestle with life and faith and God in ways that take us deeper.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT
I remember watching wrestling growing up with two brothers on Saturday night. As the sister, it was quite difficult to appreciate the value of these big overgrown men flinging each other around in a ring. As impressed as I was with Hulk Hogan, (I mean, he WAS entertaining!), I had to admit, I hardly could appreciate the value of wrestling. What is the significance of a headlock?
Yet as I read in Genesis, the story of Jacob wrestling with God until God blessed him, I realized that God has a purpose of using that specific terminology. In wrestling, one has to struggle to look for places to conquer, subdue and dominate one’s opponent. One has to surrender. It’s strenuous and requires skill, strength and endurance. And as much as we hate to admit that we doubt, wrestling with doubts is an important part of our spiritual growth.
I have found that putting my stuff out there before God in prayer, my disappointments, doubts, hurts, etc. have strengthened my faith in ways that denying my doubts never could have. God is not shocked by my thoughts. He longs for me to bring them to Him, and wrestle with His Word, until I inevitably, surrender in faith and belief. Won’t you grab a Bible now, and take your doubts, questions, and fears to “the mat” with God? He will win…and so will you.
AUTHOR BIO
Sandra Zamble has attended the Christ Church Lake Forest campus since 2001. She is involved in the 1-to-1 Care team, gospel choir and altar prayer service ministry. Her husband, Tony, serves as an elder at Christ Church.
PRAYER
Father, help me to realize that when you ask me to love you with all my heart, mind and strength, you are not asking for just the best parts of my heart, my thinking, and capacities but All, even the parts that are dark, worried, fearful, weak, doubting…Help me to be far more honest with you, knowing that you already see everything within me and that my wrestling to bring it all before you is a an act of trust that brings blessing to our relationship.