I don’t think I’ve ever experienced anything in my life thus far as rewarding as being a mother. But I have also never experienced anything in my time here on earth where I feel quite so challenged or inadequate. Many days as a parent end with me feeling defeated, or even like a failure, and it is in these moments where I feel so incapable that I truly must seek the Lord.
On my own I suppose I am insufficient, and due to the hefty weight and responsibility of parenting I find I must draw my strength from God to manage the inherent stresses of being a mother.
Here’s 7 Biblical truths I try and remember to make the journey of motherhood easier and more satisfying in those times when it seems harder than I can maneuver alone.
1. Remember where your strength comes from.
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Yes, motherhood is ultimately rewarding, but it is also difficult. With it comes fear of failure and moments of weakness. We will mess-up, but the fact is that we never have to face the struggles of parenting alone, or in our own power.
God is present in even the mundane, and He is faithful to carry us through even the most difficult of days.
2. You don’t have to hold on to your worry.
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
I don’t think I ever really knew worry until I became I parent.
Am I doing this right? Am I messing things up royally? Is my kid going to grow up to be a serial killer?!
What if they get sick? What if they’re in an accident? What if they choke to death on a grape like that kid on the news?!
You could waste your precious time with your children in a cage of anxiety, never wanting to leave them for a second, and so focused on the possibility of disaster that you make life miserable. Or you can surrender control of your children to the one who created them, the one who holds them in the palm of His mighty, loving hand.
The same God who loves you so dearly also loves your children. Even more than you do actually.
3. You can move forward confidently despite your mistakes.
Philippians 3:13-14
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus
Kids don’t come with instruction manuals. Motherhood is a trial by fire, a practice in patience, and a learn as you go type deal. You’ll mess-up, foul-up, and trip-up, but then you will get-up, stand-up, and step-up to the plate. You’ll learn from your mistakes, not dwell on them, and you’ll keep going because the prize is worth the marathon you endure to get there.
4. Remember that each day is new.
Lamentations 3:22-23
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Because we will, and do, mess-up it’s easy to become discouraged. But God doesn’t want His children to feel defeated. He wants us to live victoriously. Despite the trials of life, we do not have to be consumed by discouragement or despair.
God is faithful. His mercies are new each morning. Not dwelling on our inadequacies, we instead focus on what we can do through Christ who gives us strength.
5. Because nothing is bigger than God.
1 John 4:4
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
This world is a scary place, and it’s easy to be worried for the future of our children. We may feel that we cannot adequately equip them for the journey ahead, but if we can build a solid foundation for their feet, one built on Christ’s principles, then we have done well.
Even when you have a grown child who has strayed from the Lord it’s helpful to remember this verse. For greater is He who resides in your child than anything this world tries to use to sway them.
Ultimate surrender to an all-powerful God brings peace in parenting. Trust in His truth is freedom from this world.
6. What you do means something.
1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
It’s easy as a mother to feel like your efforts are not that important, that changing diapers and carpooling is meaningless, busy work that has no impact on God’s kingdom. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. I actually believe it to be a bold-faced lie from the enemy.
The truth is, parenting is paramount. Mothering is monumental. What you do counts! You’re furthering God’s kingdom one soul at a time. He has entrusted you with His child to raise for Him here on earth, and it is to His glory that you do it each and every day. Even the wiping of snotty noses and kissing of booboo’s.
So do it with joy!
7. Above all, never forget the blessing.
Psalm 127:3
Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.
The bottom line is to always live in joy and love. That is what our Father desires. So even in our stress, frustrations, and feelings of failure, it is vastly important to count it all as joy.
Crumbs on the floor are a reminder of food on the table, and baskets of dirty laundry are actually the blessing that you can clothe your family.
A crying baby is a healthy baby. A crowded home is a happy home overflowing with love.
Children are work, but they are a blessing from the Lord. When you’re tired it’s easy to forget that, and that’s ok. Just don’t let that be your last thought. When you lay your head down at night, exhausted and perhaps disgruntled, ruminate on the fact that the mess in your home is a treasure that many only dream they could experience. Motherhood is a gift from God. Never grow weary of opening that present.
Sheryl says
This was so encouraging! Thank you for taking the time to write this. My best friend passed it over to me 🙂 I want to print it and put it on my fridge haha.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much for commenting. That encourages me. ☺️