17 : wrestling

So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.

— Genesis 32:24

The story of Jacob wrestling with God — or the angel, as some interpretations suggest — is one of the most profound moments of inner conflict in the Bible. Jacob’s all-night struggle represents not just a physical battle but an existential one, a confrontation with forces both within and beyond himself. This moment of wrestling, often interpreted through the lens of faith, is also symbolic of our own inner struggles, where the conscious and subconscious come into tension, demanding resolution.

In Jungian terms, this can be understood as the battle between the conscious mind and the shadow — the parts of ourselves that we have not yet integrated. Jacob’s wrestling is not merely with an external figure but with his own unresolved fears, desires, and identity. This struggle represents the process of individuation, where we are asked to hold the tension of the opposites — the forces of light and shadow, ego and Self — until a transformation occurs.

The painting Jacob Wrestling with the Angel by Alexander Louis Leloir (c. 1865) captures this intense, symbolic struggle. The figures are locked in a seemingly endless battle, yet there is no clear victor. This reflects the truth of our own inner battles: sometimes the goal is not to defeat but to endure the struggle, to hold the tension long enough for integration to occur. Jacob emerges from this experience with a new identity, a new name — Israel — signifying his transformation.

As we move through our own journeys of inner conflict, we are invited to see these moments of struggle as opportunities for growth. It is in wrestling with our deepest fears and contradictions that we discover our true strength and purpose.

Journaling Prompt: Reflect on a recent inner struggle or tension you’ve experienced. What opposing forces were at play, and how can holding this tension help you move toward greater self-awareness and transformation?

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