Dear Mom,
Are you tired? Weary? Wondering if you can do this mothering thing? Wondering why God chose you?
Whether you waited and wanted for years and years like Sarah did, for God to finally bless you with a child, or whether you were surprised by the gift of motherhood like Mary was, and then wholeheartedly embraced it as your God-given calling, you are deemed special in God’s eyes. He chose you because He trusts you. He knew before your child was born that you were the right one to raise your child. Perfect? No. But the perfect one to raise your child.
Whether you gave birth to your child who shares your physical DNA, or you lovingly chose to give your child a home through adoption or some other means, you have been entrusted by God with one of the most important, most difficult, and most rewarding jobs there is.
According to Psalm 127:3-5, children are a gift from God. Yet motherhood is also a tremendous responsibility. An essential role of the mother is to firmly discipline her children in love, while teaching them to fear the Lord (Hebrews 12:5-11, Proverbs 13:24, Proverbs 19:18, Proverbs 23:13-14, Proverbs 29:15-17).
Our role is also one of nurturing, to provide our children with a safe environment of support, acceptance, affection, and unconditional love despite their faults and failures (Titus 2:4, Ephesians 4:29-32, Ephesians 5:1-2, 1 Peter 3:8-9).
From the day our children are born, we as mothers are in a unique opportunity to model for them living with integrity, doing what we say so that they can learn what it means to live in a way that pleases God (Deuteronomy 4:9, Proverbs 10:9, Psalm 37:18).
We are to be available to them throughout the day and night (Deuteronomy 6:6-7), teaching them the Word of God and a biblical worldview (Deuteronomy 4:10, Psalm 78:5-6, and Ephesians 6:4), while also helping them develop their skills and discover their strengths (Proverbs 22:6) as well as the spiritual gifts they’ve been given by God (Romans 12:3-8 and 1 Corinthians 12).
Big responsibility? Yes. It’s the hardest, most wonderful job there is. But God has huge faith in you.
I know what you’re thinking (because I’ve been there). You’re not sure you have what it takes, right? You look around and see all the other moms doing it so much more perfectly.
Can I let you in on a little secret? The same enemy who sought to destroy Eve, the mother of all living things, is hell-bent on destroying you too! Those thoughts you have about your inadequacies as a mother? They aren’t your thoughts. They are from the same enemy who served up that big red delicacy to Eve on a shiny distorted platter.
Here’s what you need to remember: God chose you. He is 100% for you. And He loves your child even more than you do, so He isn’t leaving you on this journey alone. He is going to guide you through this parenting journey, working ALL things together for the good of you and your child!
When you’re tempted to think, “I don’t know what to do,” remember, “God will direct [your] steps” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
When you berate yourself believing that you “aren’t smart enough,” remember that God says that if you ask, He will give you wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30).
When parenting is difficult and you feel like you can’t go on, remember that God promises that His grace is sufficient for you (2 Corinthians 12:9).
When you are at the end of your parenting rope, and you don’t think you can manage a situation, remember that God promised that He will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19).
When you are afraid, remember that God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
And perhaps my favorite: when you have made a mistake as a mother, and find it difficult to forgive yourself, remember that God has already forgiven you (Romans 8:1), and you can use this as a teachable moment with your child.
Sweet Friend, motherhood is hard. It isn’t for wimps. Which is good, because you aren’t one. God chose you because you were created for such a time as this. And with God’s help, you will survive this physical and emotional roller-coaster, and your child will be better for it. Trust God. You aren’t in this alone.
Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
(If you have a question you’d like Dr. B to answer, contact her here now. Your name and identity will be kept confidential.)
A short brief about Hope Prevails.
Hope Prevails
Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression
Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Speaking from personal and professional experience, a neuropsychologist unpacks what depression is, shows how it affects us spiritually, and offers hope for living the abundant life.
Neuropsychologist Offers Hope to Those Struggling with Depression
-By 2020, depression will be our greatest epidemic worldwide
- An estimated 350 million people worldwide suffer from some form of depression
- As with the bestselling My Stroke of Insight, the author experienced the same condition she treats
- Helpful features include personal stories, biblical truths, prayers, and music recommendations
In Hope Prevails, Dr. Bengtson writes with deep compassion and empathy, blending her extensive training and faith, to offer readers a hope that is grounded in God’s love and grace. She helps readers understand what depression is, how it affects them spiritually, and what, by God’s grace, it cannot do. The result is a treatment plan that addresses the whole person—not just chemical imbalances in the brain.
For those who struggle with depression and those that want to help them, Hope Prevails offers real hope for the future.
Hope Prevails is available now wherever books are sold. To find out more, see: http://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book/.
Great encouragement for moms! I’m definitely sharing this one 🙂
Even though my active days of motherhood are over, I still love these encouraging words because once a mother, always a mother. 🙂 I’m grateful to be so involved in my daughters’ lives even now.
What beautiful and encouraging words! I love everything you said about being a mother. I’ve also been learning the importance of not comparing my mothering to someone else’s. It’s a struggle that I find myself in often and one I always seem to have to guard against.
I’m so glad that God will direct out motherhood journey! Our nest is almost empty, and now we’re moving on to the grandparenting stage–where it’s still important to let God direct our paths!
Such a wonderful reminder!
Love this reminder today! So grateful, the journey and mission God has glad me too. Even though it is one of the toughest. Some days are hard yet so many more rewarding. Thank you for the encouragement.
I like how you brought Mary and Sarah together as examples of unexpected and long awaited pregnancy. Motherhood is so much harder than anyone who’s never been one can know. And more wonderful!
What an excellent article! Motherhood, although challenging at times, is a gift from God and with Him by our side we can achieve our mission <3 God bless
It’d be terribly hard to be a parent without God. But by his grace it is possible to thrive as a parent. Thanks for encouragement. Blessings to you and yours!
This is so good my two youngest 18 and 20 just moved out and in with each other, I still question myself all the time if I did all I could for them, then I will start thinking maybe I should have done this or done this differently. There are days it is still hard but they have both done so well and are so far ahead of many there own age. No matter how old our children get we are still Mothers and the worries are still there I can’t imagine not having God to lean on through I. Thanks for sharing at Literacy Musing Mondays hope to see you next week.
Connie