living
above
IN THE WORD
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Wrestling Match

As a woman, I have never really understood the concept of wrestling. Grown men trying to pin one another to show dominance just seemed a little silly to me, but there is an admiration for the effort and tenacity in which they compete. (Now I’m talking about actual wrestling, not the TV version.) In the Olympics, I have watched two wrestlers fight it out for lengthy periods of time with no one able to pin the other. The young fighters are exhausted, in pain, and losing strength, and yet they will continue to battle until a winner is declared.

As Christians, we are caught in wrestling matches at times, and just like actual wrestling, the battles can be fierce. We will find ourselves worn out, injured, and losing strength. Some struggles seem to endure for long periods of time, and we feel like we are in a continual fight. Just when we think we have gained some ground, our circumstances will flip us upside down, and there we are, on our back again. With everything in us, we scrap and claw our way up, but the victory appears short term. The constant wrestling will wear us down to the point that we begin to lose hope. We just want the match to stop; we are looking for the ref to call time; we are willing to do anything, even give up, if it means that we can end the struggle. More than a few times, I have said these words, “Lord, I’m just tired of battling.”

It is not God’s will for us to wear ourselves out and lose hope. Here are a couple of keys to spiritual wrestling that I have found:

  • Fight the right opponent. This one is of great importance and probably where I miss it the most. We think we are fighting our kids, our spouses, our bosses, our family, our friends, or a host of other people, but in reality that is not with whom we battle. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” This scripture helped me a great deal when I was wrestling with someone very close to me. This person had hurt me, and I was spending my time and energy getting frustrated and angry. On a daily basis, my thoughts were consumed with my battle with this person, until I read this scripture. I realized that I was spending all of my efforts fighting the wrong battle. My fight was with the devil, not this person. Once I recognized my real opponent, I was able to shift my anger to the right opponent. The devil was trying to create strife and hurt in me and keep it stirred up. When you see that it is the enemy fighting you, then you can release that other person. You also realize that you don’t have to take it from the devil because “the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” You can tell the devil to take a hike because we belong to God, and we do not have to listen to his lies.
  • Don’t keep wrestling when your part is over. This is another big one for me. When I am struggling with a situation, oftentimes thoughts of worry or fear plague my mind. I roll it over and over in my mind, until I am thinking about it all the time. I pray over the situation and hand it over to God, but soon afterwards, I am mulling it over in my head again. This type of wrestling match is more subtle, but it completely consumes our thoughts. Because I am continually dwelling on my issue, I cannot seem to escape the worry, frustration and fear that comes along with not knowing what to do. I try to figure out answers and work out solutions, but nothing is coming. I cry out to God, “Why aren't You helping me!” The problem is that I am still wrestling with my problem when God is waiting for me to give it to Him. Once I put it in His hands, the match is over for me. It is now in God's control. I am supposed tap out and ask God to step in, but before I let Him take control, I start wrestling again. God is patiently standing on the side, waiting for me to let Him deal with it, but I keep trying to fight the battle. Exodus 14:14 says, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” The message here is TAP OUT! Let God handle the situation and stop trying to figure out the answer. When the enemy tries to put you back on the mat, just declare that God is fighting this match. It will take some practice, but as you speak God’s Word, you will find it easier and easier to let go.

If you are in a wrestling match today, look to see if you are fighting the right opponent or if you need to tap out. It is not God’s plan for you to be worn out, frustrated and without hope. He wants to take over the match, so you can walk out in victory.












"I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sign against You."      
                                Psalm 119:11                  
God Bless You!!!