Podcasts about wrestling with god

Wrestling With God

(Genesis 32:22-31) As we come to the end of our clasping the heel series we encounter Jacob's most famous story. A night-time wrestle with the God of the Universe. Gavin takes the opportunity to unpack how this is an invitation from God to wrestle about the things of faith, and that it doesn't always come easily. Jacob's story is one that gives our stories hope as we engage with the things of God. Join us as we explore this desire for more in this powerful story.

Recorded on the day of Charlie Kirk's passing at First Baptist Church - Branson. Thank you Jesus! Much to grieve, much to love. We can always maintain hope. @p_13_l @nova_pdl @purejoyprojectna

"Genesis 32:22–32 | Wrestling with God — When Trials Lead Us to Prayer and TransformationIn this sermon, we dive into the climactic moment in Jacob's life—the mysterious all-night wrestling match with God that marks his true conversion. After years of deceit and exile, Jacob faces his past and God's grace in a powerful encounter that changes his name and identity forever.We explore:The significance of wrestling with God in prayer during life's greatest trialsThe identity of the “man” Jacob wrestled with — a prefiguration of Christ and the Angel of the LORDThe meaning behind Jacob's new name, Israel, and what it teaches us about spiritual transformationHow this ancient story resonates with every believer's struggle, surrender, and ultimate blessing in ChristThis narrative reminds us that true conversion comes not through human striving, but through persistent wrestling with God until we receive His blessing. Like Jacob, we are called to hold on to God in prayer, trusting in His grace to make us new creations.If this message encouraged you, please like, share, and subscribe for more Bible teachings and encouragement!#Genesis32 #WrestlingWithGod #JacobAndGod #BibleSermon #ChristianTransformation #AngelOfTheLord #PreIncarnationChrist #SpiritualWrestling #PrayerAndFaith #ChristianLife #NewCreation #FaithJourney #GodsGrace #SermonSeries #BibleTeaching"

Genesis 32:1 - Graeme Kennedy - Morning Service

Send us a textYou ARE:SEEN KNOWN HEARD LOVED VALUED

After a lifetime of grasping — for birthrights, blessings, and love — Jacob is finally left alone. On the eve of facing his greatest fear, he encounters his greatest opponent: God Himself. In this climactic moment, Jacob realizes that the fight was never with Esau, but with the God he's resisted his whole life. In Part 5 of Grasping for God, we'll see how real encounters with God are always personal, often painful, and ultimately transformative — and how sometimes, the only way to win is to surrender.

In this prophetic and liberating message, Leon du Preez unpacks the story of Jacob wrestling with God and reveals the greater truth: the blessing never comes through striving but through surrender. Drawing from Genesis 32, he shows how God cripples self-reliance to release grace, how Jacob's name was changed to Israel, and how our breakthrough comes when we rest in Christ's finished work. Filled with revelation, prophetic words, and powerful worship moments, this message will shift you from wrestling to resting in God's grace.

Send us a textWrestling with God takes on literal meaning in the remarkable story of Jacob. As we dive deep into Genesis, we uncover a patriarch whose life defies our expectations of what a "biblical hero" should be.This episode challenges our sanitized understanding of faith. The biblical narrative doesn't whitewash Jacob's flaws or present his journey as a neat moral lesson. Instead, it shows how God works through and despite human failings. If you've ever felt your spiritual life is more struggle than serenity, Jacob's story offers profound reassurance that wrestling with God isn't failure—it's the essence of authentic relationship with the divine.Join us as we trace Jacob's journey from trickster to patriarch, exploring how this deeply human figure becomes the foundation of Israel's identity and a crucial link in salvation history. Your own spiritual wrestling matches might look different after hearing this story.Intro music provided by Holly Serio

Passage Genesis 32:1-32 Speaker John Percival Series The Life of Grace (Genesis 25-35) Play Audio Download MP3 Download PDF

There's a very cliched understanding of wanting to study the Bible the way that Jacob wrestled with God...which I wrestle with a little bit in this episode... As always, check out our work, and join our email list, at https://ouroutpost.org/join our free resource library platform herecatch our other podcast, Love Your Marriage, by clicking here: https://ouroutpost.org/podcasts/see what we have upcoming in terms of events here: https://ouroutpost.org/events/send us an email at hello@ouroutpost.organd please rate, review, and share!If you're a Catholic husband, feel free to sign up for some time to chat with Joseph! https://bookme.name/ouroutpost/45-minutes-with-joseph

David and Karen Mains share the prophetic message that America, and especially American Christians, are wrestling with God: “Wrestling with God is usually about the role He is going to play in your life.”

Join us this Sunday as Pastor Andrew teaches on the value of wrestling with God, allowing Him to change us and speak identity into our lives. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Ask a Question: https://form.jotform.com/230386078518058

Brent Wilson preaches from Habakkuk 1 on August 17th, 2025.

In this powerful exploration of the book of Habakkuk, we're invited to wrestle with God in our moments of doubt and confusion. The prophet Habakkuk's honest dialogue with God teaches us that it's okay to bring our big questions and frustrations directly to our Creator. As we dive into this three-chapter book, we see how Habakkuk's complaints about injustice and God's seeming inaction are met with grace and a broader perspective. This reminds us that God's ways are higher than ours, and His plans often extend far beyond what we can see. The beautiful transformation in Habakkuk's attitude - from questioning to worship - encourages us to trust God even when we don't understand His methods. This message challenges us to deepen our relationship with God by bringing our raw, unfiltered thoughts to Him, knowing that He is big enough to handle our doubts and loving enough to draw us closer through the process.

In this powerful exploration of the book of Habakkuk, we're invited to wrestle with God in our moments of doubt and confusion. The prophet Habakkuk's honest dialogue with God teaches us that it's okay to bring our big questions and frustrations directly to our Creator. As we dive into this three-chapter book, we see how Habakkuk's complaints about injustice and God's seeming inaction are met with grace and a broader perspective. This reminds us that God's ways are higher than ours, and His plans often extend far beyond what we can see. The beautiful transformation in Habakkuk's attitude - from questioning to worship - encourages us to trust God even when we don't understand His methods. This message challenges us to deepen our relationship with God by bringing our raw, unfiltered thoughts to Him, knowing that He is big enough to handle our doubts and loving enough to draw us closer through the process.

With the powerful hold idols have over us, is there any hope that we might dethrone these counterfeit gods?  The answer is, “Yes!” …IF we take to heart this foundational truth.  Idols cannot simply be removed – they have to be replaced.How do we do that? If we hope to deal with our idols, what we need is not merely a vague belief in God but a profound encounter with God.Jacob had such an encounter, and it changed him forever. We met Jacob and his wives, Leah and Rachel, in a previous message. By the time we get to Genesis 31, Jacob has settled into married life and is prospering quite nicely. But Jacob's success became a threat to his father-in-law, Laban, and tension began to grow between them. So, Jacob decided it was time to part ways and return to his homeland. By now, his parents were gone, but his twin brother, Esau, the one Jacob had deceived, was still around. And the last time they had seen each other, Esau threatened to kill him. As Jacob and his huge entourage of family, servants, flocks, and herds drew near, he received the alarming news. Esau was heading his way, accompanied by a small army. Jacob was sure Esau was coming to make good on his threat. So, he springs into action. He sends out some servants with a huge gift of livestock for his brother. Then he divides his family into smaller groups and sends them across the river. Now night is falling, and Jacob is alone. All of his life, Jacob had been a “control freak.” He had sought to control people and circumstances to get what he wanted. He demonstrates the ultimate counterfeit god: SELF.The idol of self comes in many forms: self-sufficiency, self-determination, self-rule. Every one of us is challenged by the idol of self. Like Jacob, you've determined to be a survivor.  And like Jacob, you survived—but at a huge cost.Jacob's life had been one long wrestling match to get a blessing.  He wrestled with Esau to hear it from his father's lips.  He had wrestled with Laban to find it in Rachel's companionship.  But it hadn't worked.  He was still needy and empty on the inside. And now, he wrestles with God Himself. A mysterious figure comes to Jacob in the night, and they wrestle, struggling all night long, until at last, the Lord touches his hip and it is wrenched out of its socket. But rather than let go, Jacob clung all the harder. “I won't let go until you bless me!” He realized that nothing else matters. If he didn't have God's blessing, he didn't have anything.At long last, Jacob recognized the true God and surrendered to Him. God gave him a new name—Israel. And He left him with a reminder of who is really in control: Jacob would walk with a limp for the rest of his life.Jacob's transformation came after a profound encounter with God.  And, in the end, that is the only remedy against idolatry. When you know God as GOD, you don't need anything or anyone else. And when you give control to Him, you don't have to bow to the idol of self.  Text: Genesis 31-32Originally recorded on December 12, 2010, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN

Sermon delivered on 8/10/25.

As he prepared to meet Esau, Jacob wrestled with God. He knew only God could bless him. We hold on to God's promises to us.

(Bilingual) このメッセージでは太助牧師が「目的の人生を生きることの現実：神様とのレスリング」について以下の5つのポイントから話します。In this message Ps Tasuke talks about “REALITY OF LIVING THE LIFE OF PURPOSE:WRESTLING WITH GOD” in these 5 points: エレミヤ 29:11 JCB / Jeremiah 29:11 NLTエペソ 2:10 新改訳2017 / Ephesians 2:10 NLTエペソ 2:10 ERV / Ephesians 2:10 ERV創世記 32:20-24a JCB / Genesis 32:20-24a NLT創世記 32:24b JCB / Genesis 32:24 NLT創世記 32:25-26 JCB / Genesis 32:25-26 NLT創世記 32:27-30 JCB / Genesis 32:27-30 NLTヘブル 4:15-16 ERV / Hebrews 4:15-16 ERV1.神様はあなたに良い計画と目的を用意している GOD HAS A GREAT PLAN AND PURPOSE FOR YOU2.ヤコブの人生 JACOB'S LIFE3.神様は「ありのままで向かってくる」人を求めている GOD SEEKS THOSE WHO COME TO HIM JUST AS THEY ARE4.時には、神様とのレスリングが必要な時がある SOMETIMES, WE NEED TO WRESTLE WITH GOD5.神様の恵みと祝福によって、目的の人生を歩むことができるBY GOD'S GRACE AND BLESSING, WE CAN WALK IN A LIFE OF PURPOSEConnect with us:Web: mylifehouse.comInstagram: instagram.com/lifehouseglobal/Facebook: facebook.com/lifehouseglobalVideo Messages: ビデオメッセージ: youtube.com/LifehouseTokyoOther Podcasts:Want to listen to our messages in other languages?Lifehouse Messages (English): https://lifehousemessages.captivate.fm/listenLifehouse Hong Kong (Cantonese & English): https://lifehousehongkong.captivate.fm/listen

Let's talk about what it looks like to wrestle with God. Is it allowed to believe God is still good while also wrestling with that truth? 

Sermon Text: Genesis 32:24-31For more information on Buncombe Street Methodist Church in Greenville, SC, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.buncombestreet.com

Sermon Text: Genesis 32:24-31For more information on Buncombe Street Methodist Church in Greenville, SC, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.buncombestreet.com

Jacob spent his life striving for blessing by his own strength, but everything changed the night he wrestled with God. In this message from Pastor Trey, we explore how God meets us in our struggle not to fight against us but to restore us.

We are living through intense division in our society. But the problem of division is not unique to our time. The first book of the Bible, Genesis, is filled with division. In this sermon series, “Jacob: God's Hope for a Divided People," we will study the story of Jacob (Genesis 25-48) to consider the great hope God gives us for redemption and reconciliation across seemingly irreconcilable differences.

You are listening to a presentation given at the 2025Michigan Conference Cedar Lake Campmeeting. We pray you will be blessed!

A listener to Chris Fabry Live wrote, "I am struggling with God being good and allowing all the kids and families to die in the Texas floods. Their prayers were not answered." We're going to talk about God’s sovereignty and goodness in light of the Texas floods with author and speaker Ray Pritchard. He says the deepest thinkers in church history have wrestled with this question. Hear the conversation on Chris Fabry Live. July thank you gift:Drive Through the Bible by Colin S. Smith Chris Fabry Live is listener-supported. To support the program, click here.Become a Back Fence Partner: https://moodyradio.org/donateto/chrisfabrylive/partnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lessons From Legends Series: Wrestling With God | Pastor Steve Steer by Connect Church

Website: connectpeople.ca Contact: info@connectpeople.ca Facebook and Instagram: @ConnectChurchBolton Join us on Sundays at 9:15am or 11:15am

Pastor Dan talks about how we can't win against God, but our faith is strengthened through the struggle. Scripture reading: Genesis 32:22-32.

What does it mean to wrestle with God? In this message from Lead Pastor John Lindell, we follow Jacob to the Jabbok River—a place of full surrender—where he wrestles with God and receives a new name. Our prayer is that you would encounter God in a fresh way and experience the lasting transformation that comes when you refuse to let go until He blesses you.

What does it mean to wrestle with God? In this message from Lead Pastor John Lindell, we follow Jacob to the Jabbok River—a place of full surrender—where he wrestles with God and receives a new name. Our prayer is that you would encounter God in a fresh way and experience the lasting transformation that comes when you refuse to let go until He blesses you.

Wrestling with God: The Struggle That Forms Disciples Today's reading reflects on Jesus' words, “The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few,” . . . . . . emphasizing that the “harvest” refers not to the perfect or righteous, but to the broken, wounded, and lost . . . a world in desperate need of salvation. The Homily challenges the common, passive prayer for vocations, asserting that vocations do not arise from nothing; they come from a Church that is itself faithful, rooted, and committed to spiritual struggle. Jacob Wrestling and Its Lesson Drawing from the story of Jacob wrestling through the night and leaving with a limp, the Homily powerfully illustrates that authentic discipleship requires tenacity, struggle, and a willingness to hold fast to God even when it's difficult. True laborers in the Lord's harvest are formed in the soil of the Church, shaped by prayer, moral conviction, and fidelity. Only then can they reach out to others with strength and purpose. Ultimately, the homily challenges all to not just pray for vocations, but to live in such a way that they help create them. How? Listen more to this Meditation Media. Listen to: Wrestling with God: The Struggle That Forms Disciples ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote From The Homily And it's important that we recognize this because there's a certain naive way of hearing these words about the harvest and laborers that allows us very quickly to miss the point and the thrust of what Jesus is talking about here. It is not a harvest of the perfect, but a harvest of the broken. It is not a harvest of the found, but a harvest of the lost because without Christ, that is what the world is. Without Christ, that is what the human heart is. There are none that are healthy. There are none who are found. All are lost. All are wounded. All are guilty. This is the harvest, the world that needs saving. And so it is then that the Lord looks out at that tremendous need for salvation, this ocean of need that he says pray. Then ask the Lord of the harvest to send Laborers for the laborers are few. And again, we have to pause. What does it mean recognizing that the laborers are few, . . . ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Jacob Wrestling with the Angel: French Painter, Illustrator and Artist: Gustave Doré: 1855 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Gospel Reading: Matthew 9: 32-38 First Reading: Genesis 32: 23-33

PAVING THE WAY HOME:   YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@pavingthewayhome85 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/paving-the-way-home-podcast/id1517252693 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0sywWGWjqXFSErvxOcNeEt?si=jjRM2DjsQvGUJppEQqFS_g   Email: info@pavingthewayhome.com   HOLY FAMILY MISSION If you wish to support the work that Holy Family Mission do, you will find details on how to do so here - https://www.holyfamilymission.ie/supportus

Description:In this mind-expanding episode, we explore the profound impact of psychedelics, the balance of life's struggles, and how fear shapes human behavior. Rick shares his experiences with LSD, the importance of inner work, and why embracing discomfort leads to true growth.Topics Covered:Were psychedelics responsible for human evolution? The role of fear in shaping our reality The government's fear of psychedelics & mass awakening How ancient traditions understood consciousness better than modern society The fine line between self-care & obsession with health 

Is your relationship with Jesus a walk in the park or a wrestling match? An honest pursuit of God should involve a fair amount of struggle as we grapple with the complexities of life and what His Word teaches us about them. And in the struggle and grappling, like Jacob, we are marked and changed. […] The post Wrestling With God appeared first on Rockpointe Community Church.

Genesis 32

Is your relationship with Jesus a walk in the park or a wrestling match? An honest pursuit of God should involve a fair amount of struggle as we grapple with the complexities of life and what His Word teaches us about them. And in the struggle and grappling, like Jacob, we are marked and changed. […] The post Wrestling With God appeared first on Rockpointe Community Church.

Jacob wrestles with "God." So, did this one back in 2020 - now from a totally different angle. You could say I really "wrestled" with this one this week. A little background: Jacob's a deceiver - his life is a mess. He's on the run because his brother Esau wants to kill him 20 years after he stole the blessing. He finds himself alone on the banks of a stream - it's dark. He can't hide behind his wealth, his servants, or his family. Utterly alone in the dark when he's attacked by a stranger. How many times have you found yourself alone in the dark? Once there, how often have you battled with something you won't recognize as divine until much, much later? People have argued for millennia about what really happened to Jacob. But I don't know if it really matters. It doesn't matter because all the epic battles we face in life are on some level with God and about God. They're about God because of the questions under those battles. Who am I? Does my life matter? Who have I become? Where is God? Who does God want me to be? So they wrestle. All night. This depiction of God isn't something we're used to thinking about. Isn't God supposed to be loving, hospitable, welcoming, inclusive? Apparently not - at least not in the ways we usually define those things. This God is wild and weird and unpredictable. This God wrestles. This is a God who wants to engage - intimately. This is a God we can throw ourselves against with everything we got. Don't know about you, but I need a God who can handle that. They wrestle. Jacob loses and is left with a limp. But he won't let go. Sometimes spirituality is about not letting go of the God who won't let go until something good happens. Then the strangest thing happens. The stranger asks him his name. This is the second time he's been asked this question in life. The first time, by his father. Jacob lies. This time, he gets a do over. He tells the truth. He is Jacob. The deceiver. The liar. The cheat. He is Jacob. Maybe being honest with ourselves is the only way we can begin to heal. Maybe it's only in naming the ugliest parts of ourselves that we can begin to forgive ourselves and experience the transformation God longs to give us. Now, he is named Israel. The one who wrestles with God. That's the blessing. A new name. A new future. To wrestle is to stay close - to remain intimate with - now, we get to wrestle with God as long as we live.

Wrestling God - God's Will vs. Our Will•The conversation transitions to the deeper implications of wrestling with God, touching on the challenges of aligning personal desires with divine will.•They discuss the tension between human understanding and God's purposes, emphasizing the importance of surrendering pride for spiritual growth.Personal Stories of Divine Wrestling•Andy's Journey: Andy recounts his personal struggles with obedience to God's call, particularly regarding moving houses and adopting children. He describes a wrestling match with God over these life decisions and the confusion that ensued.•The Role of Obedience: The hosts emphasize that wrestling can be a test of obedience, with God often asking individuals to step out of their comfort zones.Learning Through Struggle•The hosts affirm that spiritual wrestling often leads to deeper understanding and humility, much like physical wrestling.•They invoke the example of Jesus in Gethsemane, who wrestled with the weight of His mission but ultimately submitted to God's will, reinforcing that wrestling with God is a biblical and spiritual norm.Practical Steps for Wrestling with GodSeeking God in Times of Struggle1.Take Your Concerns to God: The hosts encourage listeners to pray and seek God directly rather than relying on external opinions that may not align with spiritual truths.2.Express Lament: They stress the importance of expressing one's feelings of frustration, anger, or confusion to God, citing the Psalms as a model for honest communication with God.3.Community Engagement: The necessity of engaging with a community of faith is highlighted. Surrounding oneself with spiritually mature individuals can provide support and challenge one's understanding.Seeking Understanding Through God's Word•The hosts encourage listeners to study Scripture as a way to gain clarity on personal struggles, emphasizing that God's ways often differ from human understanding.•They reference James 1:5, urging individuals to seek wisdom from God, who generously gives it to those who ask.Trusting God's Goodness•Despite the struggles, the hosts remind listeners to trust in God's sovereignty and overall goodness, reiterating that divine plans often exceed human comprehension.•The hosts conclude that wrestling with God is a lifelong journey, one that fosters growth and understanding in one's relationship with Him.Conclusion•The podcast ends on an encouraging note, inviting listeners to engage in their own wrestling matches with God, asserting that these struggles are not just acceptable but essential for spiritual growth.•The hosts remind listeners to embrace the wrestling process, assuring them that such experiences lead to a more profound relationship with God and a better understanding of His plans.Final ThoughtsThe episode effectively emphasizes that wrestling with God is a vital part of faith that leads to deeper understanding, humility, and ultimately, transformation. The personal stories, scriptural references, and practical advice create a relatable and insightful discussion for listeners, encouraging them to embrace their spiritual struggles as opportunities for growth.https://rocksolidfamilies.orgSupport the show#Rocksolidfamilies,#familytherapy,#marriagecounseling,#parenting,#faithbasedcounseling,#counseling,#Strongdads,#coaching,#lifecoach,#lifecoaching,#marriagecoaching,#marriageandfamily,#control,#security,#respect,#affection,#love,#purpose,#faith,#mastersofdisaster,#storms,#disasterrelief,#tornados,#hurricanes,#floods

In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, listeners ask deep and thought-provoking questions about Scripture, the sacraments, and God's love. Why is exact language so essential when administering the sacraments? How can we dispose ourselves to receive God's love rather than trying to earn it? We also explore the powerful Old Testament moment when Jacob wrestles with the angel—what does it mean, and why is it significant? Join us for a rich conversation that blends theology, spiritual insight, and biblical understanding, helping Catholics and seekers alike grow in knowledge and faith. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 17:21 – Why is precise language necessary in the valid and effective administration of the sacraments? 29:39 – How can a person open themselves to receiving God's love rather than trying to earn it? 50:20 – What is the theological and spiritual significance of Jacob wrestling with the angel in Scripture?

We learn in Scripture how God wrestled Jacob to the ground one night and turned him upside down—so he could live right-side up. Jacob became a “prince” with God instead of a pain.When we're suffering the consequences of our own poor choices; when we're bearing the brunt of someone's vengeance and anger; when we feel absolutely on our own and life is not working out as planned, that's when God will turn up. He wants to walk down the stairway of heaven right into our hearts to make us aware of His personal interest and concern. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1141/29

In this week's message from Matthew 26, Matthew Balentine leads us into the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus poured out His heart in prayer. With raw honesty and divine surrender, Jesus modeled how we, too, can wrestle with God's will and come out transformed.   ⏳ Topics include: The meaning of the four Passover cups Jesus' emotional and spiritual battle Why persistent prayer matters What it looks like to truly surrender to God  

Grab your hat and join us as we ride alongside Jacob into the wild frontier in our sermon series, The Reckoning. As he faces past mistakes and finds redemption through God's grace, his story will spur us on our own journey of transformation.Let us know you're here! If you have a need or prayer request we can support you: thecompass.net/connectioncardIf you call The Compass your church home or you'd like to partner with us in what God is doing here, near, and far, you can visit thecompass.net/give

In this episode, Rabbi Schneider explores the deep spiritual significance behind the prohibition against eating the sinew of the hip in Jewish law. Join us as we uncover how this Biblical principle applies to our lives today.