Have you ever heard of "Fight or Flight"? Its the idea that when a person is confronted with a dangerous situation their body begins producing adrenaline to prepare them to either attack/defend (Fight) for themselves, or cut and run (Flight) from the danger. This is meant to protect us in dangerous situations. Unfortunately, all to often we rely on this in order to avoid situations that can only be dealt with if we remain calm and stay.
READ Genesis Chapter 32:1-32
In Genesis we read about Jacob. To summarize, when we get the point in the story you just read, Jacob has tricked his older brother out of his birthright, deceived his blind and old father into giving him the blessing (which meant he got all the stuff), run away from the conflict with his older brother Esau. There are a few more deceptions and bad choices along the way, but those are the ones you need to know.
So, as we read, one day Jacob finds out that Esau is on his way to meet him. Jacob doesn't know why he is coming, but what he does know is that he had treated his brother shamefully and never tried to make amends for it. Here's our first lesson. Do not assume you are right because you are you. Jacob used that kind of logic to back up everything he did to his brother. Jacob was always taking care of #1. Remember how in 1 Corinthians 13 Paul tells us that Love doesn't seek its own ...that means Love is not selfish, or self-centered, or self-concerned.
Ask Yourself (write down in your journal if you are keeping one)
-Did Esau have any reason to believe that Jacob had changed or was any different than he had been?
-Do I really love the folks I say I love, or am I just using them to further my own interests?
-Jacob was worried that Esau had held a grudge against him. Are you holding a grudge against someone that would keep you from having your relationship from being restored?
-Are you running from your problems? Is there someone you care about that you have let the relationship die because instead of dealing with it you ran from it?
When Jacob finally decides to stand his ground and not run, he's fighting none other than God. He fights all night, and ultimately doesn't win the fight. The fight is over because God says so (and he jacks his hip just to make sure Jacob remembers who he wrestled with.) What Jacob does get is a new name and a new start. Even though it looked like a loosing battle, and even though it was a battle he could never win, Jacob stays in it telling God he won't let go until He receives a blessing. Then God changes Jacob's name to Israel (pronounce Yis-ra-el). Israel is derived from the Hebrew word, Sa-rah which means: persist, exert oneself, persevere. There is a truth found in his new name that we can take a lot from. Any problem we face, and relationship we want the most out of, we must "exert oneself" in order for it to be fixed or work. Our problems are not going to just go away, and this is most true when it comes to problems we have with other people we walk with through life.
Ask Yourself
-What is the significance of Jacob wrestling with God?
-Why do you think that God put Jacobs hip out of socket?
-Are relationship supposed to have struggle? Is it realistic to believe they won't?
THE POINT:
We do not exist in a vacuum. There are always going to be people around us who are going to have an impact on us, and we on them. Secondly, we live in a world where problems are going to happen. That, problems will happen, is as much a part of life and eating and breathing. When you mix relationships and problems together, you get a volatile (dangerous, unstable) mixture. The struggles we have with others can be either destructive, or inspiring. Good or bad, our relationships leave a mark on who we are. Much as I dislike arguments with my wife, I know her more deeply, clearly, and intimately because I have struggled with her. Arguments and fights will come, but will you submit even those to the Lord? Will you trust that, by His leading, you will know the right things to say, how to say them, and be humble enough to apologize for hurting the other? Will you leave open at least a window, if not a door, for reconciliation?
Let this motivate you. God did not shut you out, though you have treated Him wrong. He loved you for who you are, not for your actions, behavior, or lifestyle. If you are grateful for this, then you should be willing to show God your gratefulness by acting the same. Good acts, behavior, and Godly lifestyle come after Love. Not before.
This week, if there is someone you are avoiding struggling with, will you by God's power commit yourself to do the right thing, take a stand, and say this relationship is worth fighting for, regardless of what has gone before? Will you look at yourself and freely see your own faults so you can blamelessly, and with love, approach your loved one?
READ Genesis Chapter 32:1-32
In Genesis we read about Jacob. To summarize, when we get the point in the story you just read, Jacob has tricked his older brother out of his birthright, deceived his blind and old father into giving him the blessing (which meant he got all the stuff), run away from the conflict with his older brother Esau. There are a few more deceptions and bad choices along the way, but those are the ones you need to know.
So, as we read, one day Jacob finds out that Esau is on his way to meet him. Jacob doesn't know why he is coming, but what he does know is that he had treated his brother shamefully and never tried to make amends for it. Here's our first lesson. Do not assume you are right because you are you. Jacob used that kind of logic to back up everything he did to his brother. Jacob was always taking care of #1. Remember how in 1 Corinthians 13 Paul tells us that Love doesn't seek its own ...that means Love is not selfish, or self-centered, or self-concerned.
Ask Yourself (write down in your journal if you are keeping one)
-Did Esau have any reason to believe that Jacob had changed or was any different than he had been?
-Do I really love the folks I say I love, or am I just using them to further my own interests?
-Jacob was worried that Esau had held a grudge against him. Are you holding a grudge against someone that would keep you from having your relationship from being restored?
-Are you running from your problems? Is there someone you care about that you have let the relationship die because instead of dealing with it you ran from it?
When Jacob finally decides to stand his ground and not run, he's fighting none other than God. He fights all night, and ultimately doesn't win the fight. The fight is over because God says so (and he jacks his hip just to make sure Jacob remembers who he wrestled with.) What Jacob does get is a new name and a new start. Even though it looked like a loosing battle, and even though it was a battle he could never win, Jacob stays in it telling God he won't let go until He receives a blessing. Then God changes Jacob's name to Israel (pronounce Yis-ra-el). Israel is derived from the Hebrew word, Sa-rah which means: persist, exert oneself, persevere. There is a truth found in his new name that we can take a lot from. Any problem we face, and relationship we want the most out of, we must "exert oneself" in order for it to be fixed or work. Our problems are not going to just go away, and this is most true when it comes to problems we have with other people we walk with through life.
Ask Yourself
-What is the significance of Jacob wrestling with God?
-Why do you think that God put Jacobs hip out of socket?
-Are relationship supposed to have struggle? Is it realistic to believe they won't?
THE POINT:
We do not exist in a vacuum. There are always going to be people around us who are going to have an impact on us, and we on them. Secondly, we live in a world where problems are going to happen. That, problems will happen, is as much a part of life and eating and breathing. When you mix relationships and problems together, you get a volatile (dangerous, unstable) mixture. The struggles we have with others can be either destructive, or inspiring. Good or bad, our relationships leave a mark on who we are. Much as I dislike arguments with my wife, I know her more deeply, clearly, and intimately because I have struggled with her. Arguments and fights will come, but will you submit even those to the Lord? Will you trust that, by His leading, you will know the right things to say, how to say them, and be humble enough to apologize for hurting the other? Will you leave open at least a window, if not a door, for reconciliation?
Let this motivate you. God did not shut you out, though you have treated Him wrong. He loved you for who you are, not for your actions, behavior, or lifestyle. If you are grateful for this, then you should be willing to show God your gratefulness by acting the same. Good acts, behavior, and Godly lifestyle come after Love. Not before.
This week, if there is someone you are avoiding struggling with, will you by God's power commit yourself to do the right thing, take a stand, and say this relationship is worth fighting for, regardless of what has gone before? Will you look at yourself and freely see your own faults so you can blamelessly, and with love, approach your loved one?
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