Motherhood is one of the toughest challenges women face,
whether we're raising a gentle soul or a tantrum-throwing type A personality.
Part of the challenge of motherhood is worry.
Jesus cautioned His followers not to worry about
tomorrow because today has worry enough, but mothers spend many sleepless
nights worrying about their children, whether they’re safe, and what their
future will be. Add to this the many stages a child goes through, and you find
yourself wondering why God thought you were up to the task of motherhood.
Speak God’s Truth
In 1 Samuel 1:10-18, we see Hannah pouring out her
heart to God. Her biggest desire was to have a child. We see no emotion in
Abraham in Genesis 22 when he takes Isaac up onto the mountain to sacrifice him
as God commanded. However, in Genesis 22:5 we get a glimpse into Abraham’s thinking
when he tells his servants they will be back. So whatever emotion he felt, he
countered it with the truth God had spoken to him in Genesis 17 when He
promised to make Abraham a father of many nations, establishing a covenant with
Abraham and his descendants.
Maybe that’s where the answer to the challenges of
motherhood lies. Instead of worrying, the best thing we can do for our children
and ourselves is speak God’s truth over them and to them.
How do we do this? It starts with being saturated in
God’s Word and staying on our knees in prayer. The best guidance we’ll get is
while being in tune with God’s directives.
His Promise
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 is one of the best templates for
teaching our children about God. If God is truly everything to us, then it’s not
difficult to incorporate that love into our daily lives when sitting, walking by the way, lying down, or when we get up.
If we don’t impress anything else upon our children, God's love is most important. It will undergird them in all of life’s challenges
and decisions. Is this a guarantee that their life will turn out perfect—that
no harm will ever come to them?
No. God doesn’t promise that.
He only promises
to walk with us through life’s trials. And absolutely nothing is averted or solved by worrying. Even when the worst happens, if we keep
our eyes fixed on eternity and the promise that one day there will be no more
suffering, no more pain, no more tears (Revelation 21), then no matter what comes
our way on this earth, God will provide a way to get through it.
Cover your children in prayer. Psalm 139:13-16 tells
us that God knew them before they were even knit together in your womb. As much
as we love our children, He loves them even more. What a comforting thought to
deflate worry when it attacks!
His Love Sustains
This year, as I mark my second Mother’s Day after my
daughter’s passing, God’s love sustains me. The Biblical promises I have
stored in my heart and soul for decades, some of which my mother instilled in
me early in life, will help carry me through Mother's Day and again later in the week on Lindsay's birthday. His love will sustain you on tough days, also.
What difficulty are you facing with your children? Do you have a Bible verse or passage that gives you comfort and strength as you walk through this
trial? Join the conversation below and be an encouragement to
other mothers.
If you have a prayer request, please
leave a comment or email me confidential requests. I've love to pray for you!
Have a blessed Mother's Day.
Have a blessed Mother's Day.
In Christ,
Laura
Laura
©Laura Hodges Poole
Photos courtesy of Pixabay.com
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