Transformation In The Struggle

Did you know that Peter Parker actually quits being spider man?

Aunt mae is sick

he feels the pressure of protecting the city

the pressures of having a normal life

The city dosnt respect him they honestly view him as a villian

he finds himself wrestling between who he is and his calling to be spider man

At some point in this particular story we see peter parker throw his suit into the garbage can

Peter Parker Pic

Other Spidermans do the same thing

What’s interesting is that multiple versions of Spider-Man have this same moment—the moment when they feel alone, overwhelmed, and uncertain of their future.

🔹 Transitional Question: Have you ever felt that way? Not as a superhero, Like Peter, we sometimes struggle with the tension between wrestling between who you are and who God is calling you to be?

You know in your bones that he has more for you, you might not know the end goal but you know the direction

but it dosnt line up with what you see in front of you

Personal Example

Does anyone remember the world befpre gps

lost in downtown la

had no idea where i was going i called my dad for directions

he said go west and find the 110 then go south and eventually you will hit the 105

there was a moment while i was driving where i felt like stopping because its unfamliar

i know where i started and i know what the finish line looks like but the only thing i have to keep me on the path is my fathers instructions

As your moving forward towards Gods plan, there will be moments that seem like wrestling

Key Connection: That’s what walking in God’s calling feels like.

You know where you started. You might even know where you’re going.

But in the middle of the journey, when everything is unclear, you’re tempted to stop.

the back and forth can honestly produce weariness and can eventually leading to believers quiting before the finish their race.

sometime w have to wrestle with the uncertantiy of do i give up and find another route or do i stay the coarse the coarse, listen to my fathers voice

Connection: sometimes in church world we victimize those who struggle

when the reality is we all do.

The lie is Gods perfect he has made me perfect and know theres no more sin and i can easliy move towards the plan he has for me

Sanctification is the process of being made holy, set apart for God, and transformed into Christ’s likeness. It is a lifelong journey of growing in righteousness through the work of the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18 – "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into s;z…………………………………zthe same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

This is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit, shaping us to live more like Jesus. It requires obedience, prayer, and staying in God’s Word.

can i ask you a question?

Have you ever concidered that God might me ok with you wrestling with your calling?

The beautiful about this is that God allows space for us there is space for us to wrestle with our old man.

the reality is we are wreslting with you calling your wrestling with him. becasse he called you to it

If you’re taking notes, write this down Wrestling with God leads to transformation, not defeat.

whether through struggles, doubts, or trials—can feel exhausting, but it ultimately produces spiritual growth, transformation, and a deeper relationship with Him.

Context:Key Things that has define Jacob so far

He has a twin

He is A deciever

He Runs away

He gets deceived

God Tells him to go home

Before he faces Esau he has to face God

Genesis 32:22-26

“During the night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two servant wives, and his eleven sons and crossed the Jabbok River with them. After taking them to the other side, he sent over all his possessions. This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

Pause

All the evidence we have point to Jacob not initating the Fight

What do you do when God starts the fight?

God mets Jacob in a way he would understand , jacob has spent his whole life tricky, manipulating others to get what he wants

Jacob didn’t ask for this fight, but art some point he releazes that this person is God or at least his represntative

what is so instresting is that jacob desprestly trying to get something from God that in a previous season in his life he stole

He starts off trying to control and at this point he is despr

UN-Pause

Genesis 32:27-31

“What is your name?” the man asked. He replied, “Jacob.” “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.” “Please tell me your name,” Jacob said. “Why do you want to know my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there. Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face of God”), for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.” The sun was rising as Jacob left Peniel, and he was limping because of the injury to his hip.

observations

in this place God changes his name and his identity

he went from being a decivier of the heel grabber to one who contend, fights or stuggles with God

its marked his transformation from being someone a heel grabber to someone who clung to God

this transformation didnt just change his life but,It set the tone for a nation that they where susposed to be a chosen people that Clings to God

Side Note some of the battles you fight arnt for you , there the people who come after you!

I have a few Thoughts

Point A: Wrestling with God Produces Greater Faith and Trust in God

When we wrestle with God through prayer, doubts, or trials, we learn to trust Him even when we don’t understand.

Faith grows stronger not in comfort but in struggle—it forces us to rely on God’s power, not our own.

Struggles refine us and make us spiritually stronger, just as wrestling builds physical strength.

James 1:2-4 – “The testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete.”

Point B : Wrestling with God is a Sign of Faith, Not a Lack of It

Jacob did not walk away from God—he clung to Him despite the struggle.

It's okay to question, struggle, and wrestle with God—He welcomes our honesty.

Instead of running from struggles, engage with God persistently, just as Jacob did.

Faith is not just passive belief but sometimes a fierce struggle to hold onto God.

I would challange you that If you're wrestling with God, it means you haven’t given up on Him—you still believe He has the answer.

Point C : Weakness Can Be a Strength

Jacob was left limping from his encounter with God

His limp was not a punishment—it was a reminder of his dependence on God.

Life Application:

God often allows us to carry wounds or scars as a reminder of His work in our lives.

Paul echoes this in 2 Corinthians 12:9, where God tells him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Our weaknesses and struggles can become the very places where God’s strength is revealed.

BEING OK WITH A LIMP EX

✅ Application: The struggles you’ve been through are not wounds to hide but marks of God’s work in your life.

Conclusion

Final Thought: Wrestling with God Leads to Surrender

The goal of wrestling with God is not to win but to surrender to Him and receive His blessing.

Stop fighting for control—cling to God instead. That’s where true victory is found!

👉 "Will you let this struggle transform you, or will you walk away unchanged?"