Stop Wrestling with God

Have you ever wrestled with God? Jacob did as we are told in Genesis 32: 24-30.
Job did not curse God, but he sure did have a few things to say to God. That is until God set him straight. Job 40:2-4 “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who reproves God answer it.” Then Job answered the LORD and said, “Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You? I lay my hand on my mouth.
I guess you might say I have been debating, wrestling, questioning God of late. Over an issue which I fully know the correct answer. Like Job, I lay my hand over my mouth.
The issue is whether to attend a family gathering. This time of the year one wants to be with family. Many times, of the year also. But especially at holiday times. It doesn’t seem like a big issue to want to be with family at certain times of the year, right?
For several days I have been arguing with myself. Should I go? Or, should I not go? But I really want to be with my small family, after all they are all I have. No matter what, they are family. Right?
When one grows up in a dysfunctional, co-dependent family, normal looks different. Normal is about being with family no matter how weird and uncomfortable it might be. Normal means being with family because that is what one is supposed to do no matter how it makes you feel. Just do it to keep the “peace.” What peace?
What does God say about family? Matthew 10: 36-39 and a Man’s Enemies will be the member of his household. He who loves father of mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.
What does God say about the company we keep?
1 Corinthians 15: 33 Do not be deceived; “Bad company corrupts good morals.”
How are we supposed to conduct ourselves?
Ephesians 5: 1-21 Be Imitators of God
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. 3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them; 8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light 9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14 For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” 15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So * then * do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
The final answer is that I choose to serve God with all my heart, all my soul and all my strength. So, just do the next right thing and God will always bless us.
Probably my all-time favorite scripture is Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
I especially love verses 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written,
“For Your sake we are being put to death all day long;
We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So, if God is for us, who is against us? It doesn’t matter, does it?
Stay in His word to find the peace that passes all understanding.  Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Go and be blessed now.
Shelia-s Notes

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