Genesis, chapters 31-33, tells the story of Jacob returning to face his older brother, Esau, whom he had cheated out of Esau’s birthright and their father’s, Isaac’s, blessing. Afterwards Jacob ran away in fear for his life. Years later, he goes back, fearfully hoping for reconciliation and forgiveness with his brother. The night before he meets Esau, Jacob spends the night alone, wrestling with a man (?), an angel (?), God (?). During the struggle, Jacob is injured but he continues to struggle demanding a blessing before he releases his opponent (?).

People seeking counseling and psychotherapy are often struggling with issues of guilt, grief, broken relationships, broken spirits, and/or broken bodies. It takes courage to come to counseling, prepared to engage in the struggle, knowing it may include facing real pain. It takes faith to hang onto the trust that there is a blessing to be claimed that is worth fighting for.

As a pastoral counselor, I believe in the hope of healing: physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual. As a pastoral counselor, I work to remember I am not God. I do not heal. Instead I strive to serve as God’s hands, ears, and heart, as a companion in the night of struggle, as my clients strive for blessings in their brokenness.