Daily Devo: June 28 Contentment in the battle

     I want to push pause and linger on the word "contentment" for today. I know there are some out there who live their lives every day with a smile on their faces, but inside they bear the scars of nightmares. The pain doesn't go away, just like Paul's thorn never went away. I see you, I get you. I see you on the battlefield looking over at David underneath his shepherd's tree enjoying precious time with God and longing to sit next to him in contented peace. I see you fighting the battle, not to win a golden prize but to get to that tree. I see you inch closer when a sword strikes you or a bullet grazes your cheek or a giant knocks you to your knees. I see the tears run down your cheek as you begin to lose hope that you will ever get to that contentment tree. Momma, don't take this the wrong way but you will never get to that tree. THIS battle is not about that tree or that finish line, this battle is about your soul. That tree is a mirage being used to distract you. Contentment with God is found in the midst of the battle. Power is made perfect in weakness NOW, not when you take a breather. (But just for clarification, you need quiet time with God, momma!!!) Remember, that same David who sat quietly under the tree also walked confidently out to face a giant that an entire army cowered away from. We find peace through the Spirit in the battle of our current circumstance or we won't find peace at all.
     Contentment isn't about pretending those scars don't exist, it's not about pretending to be happy all the time so others don't think we aren't fulfilled. In fact, it's not about others AT ALL. Contentment is about you and God. It won't always look like David dancing down the street in his underwear (I highly recommend that you never do that), sometimes it's going to look more like Jesus in the garden sweating drops of blood but still saying, Your will be done, Father.  Contentment means being able to look the battle square in the face and say,

"If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let him deliver us. BUT IF NOT, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods..."Daniel 3:17-18[emphasis mine] 

To utter those words, and with your whole heart be settled on whatever the outcome, BUT IF NOT is quiet contentment grounded in faith. It's not showy, it's not haughty, it's solid as the rock you stand on.
     So, for all of you who read the other posts and thought it wasn't for you, it was and is because God's Word is for everyone. Our battles may look different on the outside, but our enemy is still the same one Adam and Eve faced in the Garden. Don't let him lie to you. Don't let him throw you off the path chasing a contentment goal that doesn't exist. I CANNOT say it enough, BE WITH GOD. Not me, nor anyone else can lead you beside still waters or quiet pastures. No one else can see your heart and know their desires and what you need so completely that you don't even need to speak a word. Brothers and Sisters in Christ are here to wrap around you, strengthen you, and help you bear your burden and love you and so much more! However, if you look at those of great faith-Moses, Abraham, David, Noah, Paul, ( obviously Christ!!)- they went to one place for peace, guidance, strength, and everything; they went first to God. If you want what they had, do what they did. God grace and peace be with you today and always 💜