In the Bible, a lot of great things happen at the Jordan River. In fact, whenever a person crosses the Jordan, it means that something amazing is about to unfold in their story. Interestingly, this is where we find Jacob after he sends his wives, children, and livestock across the water ahead of him. Praying that his gifts of appeasement to his brother Esau have worked, he prepares to ford the water himself. However, a mysterious man is waiting for him there and he seeks to prevent Jacob from moving forward. The Scripture says that he wrestled with this shadowy figure all night long, but it could not overpower him. Finally, in an effort to establish authority, the strange man touched the socket of his hip and wrenched it. My guess is that Jacob shrieked in pain and momentarily pulled back as he began to understand that this injury could not have been inflicted by a mere man. When it occurred to him that the One he’d been wrestling with was God, He refused to allow Him to leave until He blessed Him. In other words, in that moment, the struggle between Jacob and His Maker became an embrace, and everything changed! 

My friend, it’s good to be strong but not unyielding. No matter how hard you fight to stay in control, there will come a time when you must surrender your struggle to Jesus. Even if it happens through affliction, being humbled in the presence of your Savior is a gateway to a life full of His power. As you realize that He is the author of protection, favor, and promotion and you seek His blessing above all else, He gives you a new identity and reveals outcomes that far exceed any plan you could ever devise on your own. Allow the struggle to become an embrace and your life will be full of His glory!