Struggles can make us stronger

Every day we're reading or listening to part of the Bible together and sharing thoughts with you. Today it’s Bern Leckie:

What did I like about today's reading?

I love that Jacob is a contender. Struggling has its down sides, and this is a pretty troublesome family, but I think God saw something in Jacob which marked him out as a leader after his own heart despite the obvious problems. Jacob would not take life as it was, but worked to better things, even to put right his oldest family dispute. Worshiping God was central in how he lived and led others, and the better life Jacob wanted his people to have included rejecting foreign and false gods.

What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

I like that God's response makes it clear that we aren't alone in struggle - God overcomes opposition to give us good things too, even bringing life out of death.

Also, God wanted Jacob to struggle with him - not struggle against him, but with him. This brought out important aspects of Jacob's character, developing and transforming him, which God affirmed with a new name and freshly stated purpose. I think God loves to develop us, sometimes through struggle.

What am I going to do differently as a result?

I've never been the sort of person to believe that life has to be accepted as it is just because that's how it is. But it should increase my faith and readiness to get involved when I remember the God's kingdom does overcome evil, and God does call me to struggle, develop and grow. I want to be clearer with people about God's role in things I'm working for.

Who am I going to share this with?

In our school community, there are regular conversations about how we deal with challenges and struggles. While many are from a Muslim background, we share a heritage in stories like Jacob’s, who is also highly regarded in the Quran. So I think he might be a good example to share with one of the school governors next time we chat about how we are developing through struggle.