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It is interesting to watch the dynamics between my 2 little dogs. I was watching them the other day. My little disabled dog Itsy was chewing on a little toy. She was enjoying herself. My normal dog Coco was sitting there staring at the chew toy. He would look at me to see if I was watching then turn to look back at Itsy. He is very intelligent. He wanted to steel the toy but he knew I would disciple him for doing so. This is why he kept looking at me to see if I was watching. I could see the conflict in his little doggy eyes. Of course he had no knowledge that I very much intended on giving him the chew toy. The chew toy was to big for Itsy, I had a smaller one that was better suited for her. I was not intending to let his struggle go on forever. On the other hand, I have often taken away things from my two little dogs that was harmful to them. They once found a plastic bag they liked to play with. I took it away knowing it could be harmful to them. My little dog Itsy was not happy about me taking the harmful toy from her. She did not understand. But I eventually gave her something new to chew on. This new thing was much safer.
God very much does this same thing with us his children. We often fall into things in our lives that are not good for us. We are often like my little dog Itsy who wanted to play with the plastic bag even though it could harm her. Or we chew on something that is to big for us. Many toxic relationships and addictions we as humans struggle with are like this plastic bag. We think it is what we want and need. But it will only bring us harm.
To wrestle and to struggle is human. We all do it to various degrees. But God has also given us the means to wrestle, struggle but lean into him for strength and direction. When we go to God with our struggles he will help us find what we really need. For he promises to meet our needs. My dogs wanted this plastic bag but what they really needed was a chew toy specifically designed for dogs.
We as humans all wrestle and struggle. Jesus himself wrestled with temptations when he walked in the wilderness. God understands our wrestling. He has sympathy for us his children. But he also knows that many things we desire may not be what we actually need. We as humans wrestle not with flesh or blood. Just like my dog Itsy and Coco were not really wrestling with each other. No we wrestle because of something we can not fully comprehend or see. But know this, there is no shame to wrestle. Look to Jesus in your wrestling and go to him with your struggles. Trust in Jesus to provide for you. Call on his name. For his name is above all names.
“Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.” Ephesians 6:13-18
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