Posted on: 6th November 2025

The other day, I came across a notebook that I had written in 7 years ago. I took a moment to skim through and see what was in my brain at that point in my life. It was interesting to look back on because it sounded like me, but slightly different. My perspective had changed.
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There is a peculiar story in Genesis 32:
‘So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.’ (Genesis 32:24-25)
The man then gives Jacob the name Israel because he wrestled with God and humans and overcame. Then he blesses Jacob, who says afterwards that he had seen God face to face. I would recommend reading the whole passage! Despite this story leaving me with many questions, an interesting take away is that after the wrestle, Jacob was left different. With an injured hip, he wouldn’t have walked the same way as he used to. Difficulty and challenge had changed Jacob. He was physically weaker, but spiritually, he was blessed.
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As I was reading through my old notebook, I realised that while I am still the same person as I was 7 years ago, life’s circumstances, challenges and tests have changed me. I don’t walk the same way as I used to. You can probably recognise it in yourself as well. You don’t walk the way you used to.
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Let’s say you’re a keen runner. When you get back from a long run, you might feel weaker because your body is tired, but over time, because you have gone through physical challenge, you are actually getting stronger. It’s when we can endure challenges and remain faithful that we get spiritual strength and maturity.

In God’s kingdom, there is no short cut to maturity. To be entrusted with more, there is no fast track. There is only a journey that Jesus never promises will be easy. But He does promise to be with us.

As we go through challenges and changes in life, we may end up walking differently. But ultimately, if we are able to remain faithful to God, we will be spiritually stronger.