I love my children with every fiber of my being, but some days they test my last nerve. They nitpick and fight with each other, whine and complain when I ask them to do a chore, and plug their noses when they see that I’ve placed a vegetable on their plates yet again.
But you know what’s harder than navigating my kids’ reactions? Recognizing that I’m flawed too. Yes, this mama does her best to nurture and love, but sometimes my response is anger, impatience, or harsh words. And then the enemy has a field day with me, filling me with guilt and telling me that I’m a failure as a mom. Maybe you’ve experienced the same?
In moments like this, it’s time to name those lies for what they are and then replace them with truth. Here are five statements you can believe about yourself today:
You are loved.
Just like you love your children deeply—even when they mess up or reveal their humanity—your heavenly Father loves you with an affection that can’t be matched. Nothing you do or say can remove His love for you.
I am convinced that neither death nor life…neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39 niv).
You are flawless.
When you feel guilty for how you responded to your child—when you see another mom and think you can never measure up—God sees you as His flawless creation. Whatever the struggle, He removed it from His memory the moment you accepted Him as Lord and Savior of your life. You can walk in the freedom of His forgiveness today.
He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12 nlt).
You are called.
Some days you may feel like you’re slogging through the mire of motherhood, but remember that this is more than survival. It’s a calling. God has placed these children in your care for a purpose. Even if it’s not clear what that purpose might be right now, trust that He has a plan.
[Jesus said,] You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you (John 15:16 niv).
You are equipped.
You might say, “That’s great that I’m called. But I still have no idea what I’m doing or where to go from here.” Friend, remember that God has provided everything you need. It might be strength to carry on for one more day. It might be understanding from a friend or wise counsel from a mentor. Wherever you are and whatever you’re facing, God will equip you to mother your children well.
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has granted me the needed strength and made me able for this, because He considered me faithful and trustworthy, putting me into service for this ministry (1 Timothy 1:12 amp).
You are enough.
When the stresses of motherhood overwhelm you or you feel inadequate for the job, rest in the fact that you are enough. Scripture says that the Holy Spirit indwells you (1 Corinthians 3:16) and that God’s power is made perfect in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). You are enough because He is enough. Take a deep breath and keep pressing on.
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns (Philippians 1:6 nlt).
I so badly needed to read this today. Thank you for allowing God to use you to speak to this overwhelmed and exhausted mama tonight.
Good reminders. It is hard to be mom of a child with special needs when he has a meltdown in a grocery store that makes me feel humiliated, hurt, and worried about his strength at 5 yo. I blamed myself for taking him there when he was hungry and felt traumatized by the whole thing. I have to remember that God has got this and can help me with my son! Thankfully, I have support and he has therapy.