18th century wrestling and it's difference to WWE

Ever Struggled with what the bible teaches about God being in control...of everything?! This is a scary thought, and certainly one that doesn't sit too sweetly with our "you're the master of your own destiny" culture. Well, if you wrestle with these truths, that's a good thing! Just the fact that they are thoughts that cross your mind is an act of God. The world in general couldn't give a rip as to who actually determines the course of human history and the fate of men's (and women's) souls. So, if doctrines like "election", "predestination", and "absolute sovereignty" disturb you, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Who knows...maybe these things which are now "bitter in the mouth" will become "sweet in the stomach" (as an old theologian whose name I have forgotten once said)

Here's the account of a guy called Jonathan Edwards (American theologian/philosopher 1703-1758) and how he wrestled with the truth that God indeed determines all things according to his plan.

"From my childhood up, my mind had been full of objections against the doctrine of God's sovereignty, in choosing whom he would to eternal life, and rejecting whom he pleased; leaving them eternally to perish, and be everlastingly tormented in hell. It used to appear like a horrible doctrine to me. But I remember the time very well, when I seemed to be convinced, and fully satisfied, as to this sovereignty of God, and his justice in thus eternally disposing of men, according to his sovereign pleasure. But never could give an account, how, or by what means, I was thus convinced, not in the least imagining at the time, nor a long time after, that there was any extraordinary influence of God's Spirit in it; but only that now I saw further, and my reason apprehended the justice and reasonableness of it. However, my mind rested in it; and it put an end to all those cavils and objections. And there has been a wonderful alteration in my mind, in respect to the doctrine of God's sovereignty, from that day to this; so that I scarce ever have found so much as the rising of an objection against it, in the most absolute sense, in God's strewing mercy to whom he will shew mercy, and hardening whom he will. God's absolute sovereignty and justice, with respect to salvation and damnation, is what my mind seems to rest assured of, as much as of any thing that I see with my eyes; at least it is so at times. But I have often, since that first conviction, had quite another kind of sense of God's sovereignty than I had then. I have often since had not only a conviction, but a delightful conviction. The doctrine has very often appeared exceeding pleasant, bright, and sweet. Absolute sovereignty is what I love to ascribe to God. But my first conviction was not so."