by Brian C. Johnson (Author)

Sunday morning. Church as usual.

The worship team finished singing, the offering was collected. Pastor Craft turned the service over to me. I ascended to the pulpit.

"Have you ever wrestled with God? I have," I declared.

My sermon was about the importance of being honest with yourself and sharing your struggles with others. I invited those who were proud of their deliverance to join me on the platform, but how could I reciprocate given my hidden proclivities?

I felt the urging of the Holy Spirit to admit my own struggle. Confession was good for the soul, right?

Yet, I continued to wrestle with God.

I can't tell them, Lord. What will they think of me? How can I hurt them by exposing my shame? This will just kill them.

But the prompting of the Spirit was unmistakable...

So I named the beast.