Trusting through the tearing

By: Emmanuel H. Lulu

Genesis 32:21-32, 33:1-4

21 So Jacob’s gifts went on ahead of him, but he himself spent the night in the camp. Jacob Wrestles with God
22 That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed
the ford of the Jabbok. 23 After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. 24 So
Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 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. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”
But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
27 The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered.
28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, [a] because you have struggled with God
and with humans and have overcome.”
29 Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him
there.
30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, [b] saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was
spared.”
31 The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, [c] and he was limping because of his hip. 32 Therefore to this
day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob’s hip
was touched near the tendon.
33 Jacob looked up and there was Esau, coming with his four hundred men; so, he divided the children among
Leah, Rachel and the two female servants. 2 He put the female servants and their children in front, Leah and
her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear. 3 He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the
ground seven times as he approached his brother.
4 But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they
wept.
Introduction:
As Christians, we are called to trust God in all circumstances, but often find ourselves torn between conflicting
emotions. We may experience doubt and fear, yet know that faith and courage are necessary to overcome
them. We may feel broken and weak, but are called to trust in God's strength and healing.
Proposition: Christians can experience conflicting emotions, but they are called to trust God amidst their
struggles.
Main Transition: In this sermon, we will explore the reality of torn emotions and how we can navigate them
with trust in God.
Main Subdivision 1: The Reality of Torn Emotions
1.1. Doubt and Faith:
Bible Verse: James 1:6
6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea,
blown and tossed by the wind.
As Christians, we often find ourselves torn between doubt and faith. Doubt can arise from various sources,
such as unanswered prayers, personal struggles, or intellectual questions. It is crucial to acknowledge that
doubt is a natural part of our faith journey and can even serve as a catalyst for growth. In Mark 9:24, a father
pleads with Jesus to help his son, expressing his torn emotions by saying, "I believe; help my unbelief!" This
heartfelt cry demonstrates the tension between doubt and faith within us.
Challenge: How can we navigate the tension between doubt and faith, and what role does doubt play in
strengthening our trust in God?
The challenge lies in embracing our doubts without allowing them to consume us. Rather than suppressing or
ignoring our doubts, we should engage with them honestly and seek answers through prayer, studying
Scripture, and seeking wise counsel. Doubt, when approached with humility and an openness to seek truth,
can lead to a deeper understanding of God and a strengthened faith.

1.2. Fear and Courage:

Bible Verse: 2 Timothy 1:7
7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Fear is a powerful emotion that can paralyze us and hinder our trust in God. We may fear failure, rejection, the
unknown, or even the consequences of following God's calling. However, Scripture reminds us that God has
not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). This verse affirms that courage
is available to us through the Holy Spirit.
Challenge: How can we confront our fears and find the courage to trust God fully, even in the face of
uncertainty?
The challenge lies in recognizing that courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to act despite our
fears. We can confront our fears by shifting our focus from our own limitations to God's limitless power and
faithfulness. By dwelling on God's promises and past faithfulness, we can find the courage to step out in
obedience, trusting that He will guide and provide for us. Cultivating a habit of prayer and meditating on God's
Word can strengthen our faith and help us overcome our fears.
By acknowledging and addressing the reality of torn emotions, specifically the tension between doubt and
faith, and fear and courage, we can grow in our trust and reliance on God. As we continue to delve into the
remaining main subdivisions, we will explore the source of trust and the fruits that come from trusting God
amidst our conflicting emotions.

Main Subdivision 2: The Source of Trust

2.1. Human Weakness and God's Strength:
Bible Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:9
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I
will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
As humans, we are inherently weak and limited in our abilities. We often face situations that are beyond our
control, leaving us feeling helpless and vulnerable. However, in our weakness, we can find strength in God. In
2 Corinthians 12:9, the apostle Paul shares his experience of pleading with God to remove a thorn in his flesh.
Instead of removing it, God responds, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in
weakness."
Challenge: How can we acknowledge our weaknesses and surrender to God's strength, trusting that He will
provide and guide us?
The challenge lies in humbly recognizing our limitations and surrendering control to God. Rather than relying
solely on our own understanding and capabilities, we must lean on God's wisdom and strength. By
surrendering our weaknesses to Him, we allow His power to work through us and bring about transformation
and victory.

2.2. Brokenness and Healing:

Bible Verse: Psalm 34:18
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
In our journey as Christians, we experience brokenness and pain in various forms—emotional, spiritual, and
physical. The brokenness may result from our own mistakes, the consequences of sin, or the brokenness of
the world around us. However, God is the ultimate healer who brings restoration and wholeness. Psalm 34:18
assures us that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Challenge: How can we embrace our brokenness and trust that God will bring healing and restoration to our
lives?
The challenge lies in embracing vulnerability and bringing our brokenness before God. It requires
acknowledging our need for His healing touch and allowing Him to work in and through our brokenness. This
process may involve seeking godly counsel, engaging in self-reflection, and offering forgiveness to ourselves
and others. As we surrender our brokenness to God, we can trust that He will bring healing, redemption, and
restoration in His perfect timing.
By recognizing the source of trust—God's strength in our weakness and His healing in our brokenness—we can
find solace and confidence in knowing that our ultimate reliance is on Him. In the next main subdivision, we
will explore the fruits that come from trusting God amidst our torn emotions, specifically focusing on patience
and surrendering to God's plan.
Main Subdivision 3: The Fruit of Trusting

3.1. Patience and God's Timing:

Bible Verse: Psalm 27:14
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Trusting in God often requires patience, especially when our emotions are torn between waiting and taking
action. Patience is not merely waiting idly; it is an active and steadfast endurance rooted in trust. Psalm 27:14
encourages us to "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"
Challenge: How can we cultivate patience and trust God's perfect timing, even when we are torn between
waiting and taking action?
The challenge lies in surrendering our timelines and desires to God. It requires aligning our hearts and minds
with His purposes, understanding that His timing is perfect. Cultivating patience involves seeking God's
guidance, praying for discernment, and relying on His promises. It also involves nurturing a confident
expectation that God will fulfill His plans for us in due time.
3.2. Surrender and God's Plan:
Bible Verse: Proverbs 3:5-6
5Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Trusting in God often involves surrendering our own plans and submitting to His divine plan for our lives.
Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs us to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own
understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Challenge: How can we surrender our own plans and trust that God's plan is always greater, even when it
conflicts with our desires?
The challenge lies in relinquishing control and trusting that God's plan is ultimately for our good. It requires
embracing humility, recognizing that our understanding is limited compared to God's infinite wisdom.
Surrendering our plans involves an intentional act of faith, releasing our grip on what we think is best and
embracing God's sovereignty. It requires daily surrendering our will to His and aligning our desires with His
purposes.
By embracing patience and surrendering to God's plan, we experience the fruits of trusting Him amidst our
torn emotions. Patience allows us to develop perseverance and endurance, while surrendering to God's plan
grants us peace and contentment in knowing that His ways are higher than ours. Trusting God's timing and
plan enables us to navigate our torn emotions with a firm reliance on His faithfulness.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, as Christians, we must recognize and acknowledge the reality of torn emotions in our faith
journey. Through trust in God, we can navigate these conflicting emotions and find strength, healing, patience,
and surrender. Ultimately, as we place our trust in God and lean on His understanding, we can experience His
faithfulness and guidance, even in the midst of our internal struggles. May we continually seek to cultivate a
deeper trust in God, knowing that He is faithful to sustain us through every season of life.
As we navigate our torn emotions as Christians, we must remember that trust in God is essential. We can
embrace our doubts and fears, acknowledging our weaknesses and brokenness, while finding courage,
strength, and healing in God. By cultivating patience, surrendering our plans, and trusting in God's perfect
timing and greater purpose, we can experience a deeper level of trust even in the midst of our torn emotions.
Through this trust, we can find comfort and hope, knowing that God is always faithful and will guide us
through our journey of faith.