Friday, May 12, 2023
JUST 4 MOM
All parents face challenges, but moms and grandmas, however, tend to carry struggles a bit deeper. God designed women to be the more nurturing, social parent which includes work, school, homelife, children, husbands, and parents all needing personal interaction and affection. Looking back on some personal experiences, both rewarding and challenging, I’ve discovered a few insights to help ease anxiety during difficult situations. Even through a variety of situations, I’ve learned to trust God and lean into His guidance which provided a calming focus and determination to pursue knowledge and care for others.
These 4 simple and effective concepts can be life-savers for moms when dealing with stress, anxiety and overwhelming circumstances.
1. Be teachable – Incorporate humility in your daily interactions with God and others. Utilize interruptions as special teachable moments with your children and time for gaining new knowledge about yourself.
Prov. 19:20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.
This verse encourages believers to become heart listeners, not just hearing it, but putting into practice. God has a way of placing special people in our lives at just the right time to give encouragement, parenting or personal advice. In hindsight, I wish I would have taken some of that instruction more seriously, and possibly avoided some of the trials resulting from selfishness. Children are seeking acceptance and enjoy time spent with a listening and loving parent. Children need to see parents learning from God’s word and acknowledging His direction in their life. Modeling this behavior for your children can be the turning point to their own personal salvation.
2. Be flexible – Modify or compromise personal plans without becoming frustrated, angry or upset. Remember that some things are out of our control, and God desires believers to rely on Him and not on ourselves.
Phil. 2:4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others.
This can be difficult for women and can be overwhelming at times, but remember that God is with you and available, just ask Him. Also, your children and family need moms who can bend and flex with the circumstances, so they can also learn flexibility. Routines and structure are necessary, but prioritize time with God and insert some creativity and fun. Flexibility will change how you parent and God will bless your calendar with extra time for yourself.
3. Be authentic – Stay true to Christian values, morals, and truths found in God’s Word. Realize that the world may have an altered concept of truth, but your child will question what you believe and why.
Psalm 145:18 The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on him in truth.
Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Even though Christians may not see how God could ever use a terrible situation, He has a plan to work everything for good. God desires a personal relationship through communication and prayer and remains patience. Staying true to your beliefs can be a true testimony to your children and to your community. Children need to know what God has done for you and for others. Take time each day to read God’s Word together, pray and ask God for protection and provision. Authentic prayer comes from the heart and brings a new joy in life and even if life situations bring heartache and difficulty, God can use it for good.
4. Be loving – Distribute charity and care to your family, friends, neighbors and community. Acknowledging that God loves all people, and desires for all to come to salvation.
1 Corinthians 13:13 So now faith, hope and love abides, these three, but the greatest of these is love.
Above all else, love each other deeply.
God is love, and His greatest commandment for believers is to love one another. Teaching children to love God and their neighbors demonstrates His love in our lives.
My mother and grandmother were women of prayer. They spent hours each day talking and listening to God. Our neighbors would seek my mother out and ask for her to pray with them and she made this a part of her routine. She asked for prayer for family members and for close friends. She incorporated prayer chains for specific needs and community events.
A fun family method of prayer is to have a community prayer walk. A prayer walk can have a tremendous effect on your neighbors and on your family. As you walk, thank God for his creation and for all the things you see, smell and hear. Involve the family by asking for each one to pray for a neighbor or for a local business. Where ever you may choose to walk be mindful of your surrounding and take time to really focus on your path in life and how God has brought you to this time and place.
Prayer is vital in maintaining a believer’s personal walk with God. It can change the course of a person’s life by removing barriers from the mind and heart. Prayer is a Christian’s best tool in defeating illness, sadness, anxiety, depression and healing emotional wounds. This spiritual connection with brings energy, strength and comforts during the lowest points of life.
Always pray for your kids and your spouse. It is your true calling as a mom to lift your family in prayer to God everyday. No other person knows them like you do, or understands their individual needs and concerns. Include prayer as part of your daily routine and watch how your kids change before your eyes. They are watching how you respond and react to life situations and concerns and are looking to you for an example.
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things and by your will they were created and have their being. Revelation 4:11
Dr. Donna Lindquist, Christian Family Counselor
