Fighting the Good Fight?!?!?!?!

On days that are not going so well, almost everything seems like a struggle, an effort, even a fight. I heard a line in a song recently that really struck me: "Stop fighting a fight that's already been won". (Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave)

I know that we will win the war....but those little, sometimes daily battles? They can really wear a person down! I have to admit sometimes it is like fighting and re-fighting the same battle day after day (think the movie: Groundhog Day...wink). I can get clouded vision where I do not see how far we have come from where we started. Emotions can intensify a situation to seem like we won't win no matter what we do! If we let those emotions start to rule our actions? We can start to question not only if we are fighting the "good fight", but if the fight is even worth it.

Those are the days I need to remember I don't need to fight alone! You don't either.

 

 In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 56:4 NIV

Joshua 1:9  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Just a little bit more......

I know that gas station "cappuccino" is probably far from the real thing, BUT it's on my way to work....and I have a refillable cup. So I stop sometimes before heading to work. Sometimes I run into people I know....and it is usually on days I didn't "plan" to stop....but I did....God appointments I think. :)  

Considering I never used to like hot drinks....cappuccino (I have to keep copying and pasting that word) is probably the closest I will ever come to coffee (yuck!). Unlike coffee which is in pots, cappuccino comes out of a machine. A machine that states to stop about 3/4 of the way full because the drink keeps flowing for a bit after the button is let go. I don't know about other people, but I like to mix flavors. So I push the button(s) to come up with the tastiest concoction. The last flavor I choose is the one I need to be careful to not overflow my cup. I press the button, I let go, I let the warm beverage flow a bit....and push the button again....just a little bit more....trying to get my moneys worth! I don't recall too many occasions where this has been a bad thing, but I don't understand the need to push it for just a little bit more.

I don't think it is just at cappuccino (last time, I promise) machines that we try to push the limit of what our cups can hold. It seems so often that I find myself saying, "When I just get a little bit more ____________, I'll _______ (fill in the blanks...I'm guessing you've done it at least once or twice too!) Depending on what is overflowing, filling our cups, being busy, etc. can be a good thing. However, sometimes I think we just need to get to the point of being content getting near the top. Satisfied and content are good feelings that we need to get used to in a world where we are constantly shown we should have more.

Philippians 4:11-12 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

1 Timothy 6:6-7  But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.