Genesis 32: 22-26

“Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.” vs. 24

The next day Jacob would see Esau again. It would be their first meeting since Jacob had stolen their father’s blessing and then fled to a foreign land. Jacob was worried about how his brother would receive him and spends the night alone, but he doesn’t sleep. Instead he wrestles with a mysterious stranger until daybreak and pleads for a blessing. It’s a strange story and we don’t know who the opponent is, but we can certainly identify with Jacob’s nocturnal wrestling. Many of us have awakened after a night of struggles to find the sheets and blankets twisted as evidence of the battle. Usually such times come on the eve of days we’ve been fretting and worrying about, maybe a scary meeting or an encounter we’ve been dreading. In the darkness enemies lurk and dreams turn into nightmares. As our unconscious processes our fears, images of disaster flit through our minds. Sometimes we even cry out in terror and frustration, the words exploding out as guttural groans. Through the blackness of the long predawn hours the struggle continues without resolution until finally our blessing comes with the dawning of the new day. Though the situation may remain unchanged, it seems different in the light, and we may even glimpse a bit of hope.

Thought for the Day: What triggers my nighttime struggles?