Ever feel like you’re wrestling through life, just trying to grab hold of a blessing? You’re not alone.
Pastor Steven Furtick hit on something that’s so real it hurts—the idea that sometimes, God’s biggest blessings come through struggle, just like Jacob did back in Genesis.
When the Blessing Feels Like a Battle
Jacob was that guy who had to learn the hard way that a blessing doesn’t always look like a victory lap; sometimes it looks more like a wrestling match in the dead of night. Pastor Furtick pointed out that even when Jacob was alone, stripped of everything he thought defined him, he didn’t let go. And that’s when the blessing came. Sound familiar? Maybe your blessing is on the other side of what feels like a battle right now.
"I will not let you go unless you bless me!" (Genesis 32:26)
That’s not just determination; it’s a declaration. It's Jacob saying, "I'm not here for the easy road. I'm here for what's real, even if it hurts, even if it breaks me." And isn't that something we can all relate to? Those moments in life when we're down to our last ounce of strength, but we refuse to let go because we believe, deep down, there's a blessing in the struggle.
This is the kind of faith that sees beyond the immediate pain and the struggle. It's a faith that understands blessings aren’t always wrapped in ribbons and bows. Sometimes they're hidden in the scars of our battles.
The Pressure of Perfection
We all know that guy who seems to have it all and still feels guilty for wanting more, right? Pastor Furtick talks to us about an entrepreneur who felt that way—blessed but stressed, loaded but lost. It’s like we’re so blessed that we feel pressured to be more grateful, more joyful, more everything. But here’s the thing—Jacob had a lot, but he still wrestled with God for his blessing. It’s okay to want more of what God has for you.
“Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thy heart.” (Psalm 37:4)
Gratitude in the Grind
And when the grind gets too real, it’s okay to say, “I’m not okay.” But in that space, Pastor Furtick reminds us to do something different: be thankful. Not for the pain, but in the pain. Because gratitude isn’t about ignoring the struggle; it’s about acknowledging God’s presence in it.
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
The Surrender that Brings Blessing
Sometimes the blessing comes when we let go. Sounds counterintuitive, right? But Pastor Furtick laid it out straight: surrender is the channel through which God’s biggest blessings flow. When Jacob finally surrendered, his identity changed. He went from deceiver to prince with God. So maybe, just maybe, our truest blessings are found not in holding on, but in letting go.
So, what’s the takeaway from Pastor Furtick’s deep dive into Jacob’s story? It’s this: blessings come in unexpected shapes and sizes. Sometimes they come in the form of struggles that force us to wrestle through the night. Sometimes they come when we drop the act and get real with God. And sometimes, they come when we let go of our fear and fully trust in His plan.
As we wrap up, remember that the blessing isn’t always going to look like what you expect. It might not be a new car or a promotion. It might be the peace that comes with surrender, the growth that comes through struggle, or the joy that comes in the morning after a night of wrestling.
"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24-26)
So here’s to wrestling for our blessings, just like Jacob. Here’s to letting go, to trusting more, to being thankful, and to walking into the identity God has for us. Stay blessed! Watch the full sermon below:
Spread Love, Spread Jesus
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