When you look at the life of Jacob, you see that brokenness precedes breakthrough. Some people stop at broken, unable to go on or find hope in the future. Keep Psalm 51:17 on your heart! “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” God doesn’t expect perfection from you. But He does expect worship and trust! Nothing you’re going through escapes His notice. Focus on humbling yourself before Him (1 Peter 5:5-6). Dedicate yourself to worshiping and trusting Him through the good and the bad days.
Mark 8:34: “Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, ‘Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am.” Scripture makes it clear that you aren’t to control your own life. Someone else is in charge, and that should be a relief to you! Look at the next verse (verse 35) in this chapter. “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.” You must lose yourself to find yourself!
Do you think Jacob felt fulfilled before he surrendered to God? He might have felt some sense of accomplishment in doing things his own way, as well as the temporary pleasure found in sin. But as with all sin, his sin would have destroyed him, leaving him feeling empty. When you find yourself on God’s terms, you find fulfillment! Read through Romans 12:1-2. These verses are a reminder to give EVERY part of your day to God, even the ordinary.