Category: Spiritual Application

Blogs written on topics related to scripture and spiritual application, usually more abstract in nature.

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Let It Go, Mama

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30

“Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” Psalm 55:22

The “burdens” of motherhood. Wow, it can feel almost intolerable. Since becoming a mother, I can’t believe how many “things” I hold on to. In talking with my therapist, she has helped me to realize that perhaps the “things” that I hold on to contribute greatly to feeling overwhelmed with my kids. Yes, the kids have needy, sometimes annoying, behaviors that drain my energies, but perhaps the burdens that I carry also drain my energies.

It seems that each day brings a new set of “burdens,” or things that I hold on to in my head, aka my thoughts. For me, my primary negative thoughts or emotions usually center around guilt, or “should” statements. A few examples: I shouldn’t have yelled at him, I should be playing with the kids more, I should be cleaning my house right now, I should have held him more as a baby, I should, shouldn’t, or should have…

Worry is another burden that I often hold on to. I worry for my children’s skills, abilities, character, etc. For example, will he ever learn to count correctly? Will he ever learn to listen better? Will the tantrums ever stop? And after so many of these thoughts, by the end of the day I’m exhausted! Both by the kids’ behaviors, but also by my own burdens that I bear.

Other days I am burdened by my anxiety, perhaps anxious that I have so many things to do and how will I ever get them done in time? One thing that I have learned to try to do is in the morning to surrender my “to do” list to God, telling Him that I have a lot to do, but to trust that He will help me to prioritize my tasks with the amount of time I have. And then it is my choice to let go of whatever I don’t get done, rather than holding on to the anxiety of it.  

Other days I am just very tired and in some ways I hold on to that tired feeling by continually reminding myself how tired I am, or worrying that I won’t get through the day. I dream about sleep and then sometimes sleep doesn’t come as easily.

In dealing with these “burdens,” many of us cope in different ways. Sometimes we cry a little, eat a dessert, dream of a break, vent to our husband or a friend, and other times we scroll our phones hoping for relief by viewing happiness on the other side of the screen. At the end of the day, I’ve found that these coping mechanisms frequently let us down, as they are not lasting and really do not cure the problem. Why? Because in so doing, we continue to hold on to our burdens and haven’t really let them go.

Jesus knew that we would have burdens, especially as mothers. In Psalms 55:22, it says, “Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you.” It doesn’t say to cast your burden on other things, but primarily to cast them on Him. What a gracious God we serve that would take on, or even welcome our burdens!

So next time that I am feeling burdened by motherhood, I want to ask God, “Lord, what am I holding on to here? Is it worry, fear, guilt, stress, or something else?” And I know that in response He will quickly show me.

And then I hope that I am able to LET IT GO…to let GO of the burden, and no longer choose to hold on to it (because really it IS a choice). May I cast that burden on the Lord, realizing that I am an imperfect mother, but that He is a perfect God. I will make mistakes, but His grace can and will make up the difference in my parenting.  

When I’m guilty, let me receive His grace.

When I’m anxious, let me claim His promises of peace.

When I’m frustrated, let me talk to Him about it.

When I’m tired, may I find my rest in Him. 

When you’re burdened, lay down your burdens at HIS feet. Experience the freedom that comes with surrender, and let it go, mama, let it go.

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“Mommy, I Need You!”

Every morning I wake up to the sound of my three year old son yelling at the top of his lungs, “Mommy, I need you! Mommy, I need you!” It’s quite frustrating to be jolted out of bed with instant demands of my time and energy. Despite this feeling, this situation also causes me to reflect on my own relationship with the Lord.

You see, my three year old son is incredibly dependent on me (too much so at times). That being said, at three years old, he is humble enough to ADMIT his need of me – need of me to help him get dressed in the morning, make him breakfast, comfort him when he cries, etc. And by admitting his daily need of me, my son’s needs are met, and this dependence also fosters a close relationship between us.

My question to myself is…how often do I realize and admit my own similar utter dependence on the Lord? Although I may not need God to get me dressed, make me breakfast, or take me to the bathroom, I need Him just as vitally, actually even more so.

God created me, died for me, AND sustains me each day. He provides for me physically, spiritually, emotionally, socially, etc. Without Him, I would not be able to even take my first breath in the morning, as He sustains my heartbeat and breathing. Without Him, I would have no joy, hope, love, or peace. Without Him, my life would be meaningless and full of worry and despair.

Although intellectually I KNOW my need of God, how often do I ADMIT and RECOGNIZE my need of and utter dependence on God? And if I were to do this, perhaps even more of my needs would be met, and perhaps I would have an even more intimate relationship with Him.

I think it would be hugely beneficial if I took a lesson from my son, and if I were to START each day crying out to God, “Lord, I need you! Lord I need you!” And instead of getting annoyed with my cries, I know my loving Father would simply reply, “Yes, child, I’m right here.”

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His Mercies are New

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

As a SAHM of a three year old and one year old, there are days when I think I might lose my mind. Typical scenario: The one year old crying and clinging to me, the three year old pooping his pants (as we undergo potty training) and then throwing a tantrum for me not to clean him up. Most of the time I can keep my cool, but some days, tension mounts and I just snap…can you relate?

The other day I put my two kids to bed, and then had to go into their room three times in a row, as my three year old son just wouldn’t settle down. The third time that I went into his room, I scolded him, and what he did next broke my heart. He covered his face with his hand and then crouched down in the bed. It’s as if he thought that I was going to actually hurt him or something. I’ve never hit my son in the face. I’ve only ever spanked him on the leg or bottom (and never leaving a mark or anything). So it broke my heart for him to cower in fear.

It was then I realized that I needed Jesus’ grace to forgive me for the times that I’ve spanked him in anger. Apparently for a three year old, he can’t differentiate between a spanking in anger on the butt or getting hit somewhere else. Either way, I felt very ashamed and wanted to cower in shame for the times I’ve lost my temper with him.

In my shame, Jesus lifted me up. He reminded me of the Bible verse that says that “His mercies are new each morning.” I humbly asked His forgiveness and asked for help to never spank my son in anger again. The next day I also apologized to my son and reminded him that I would never hit him in the face or hurt him.  

As mothers of littles, there will be times that we will lose our temper with our children, but it is important that we use those instances to learn and grow. It is important that we meet Jesus at the foot of the cross and humbly ask for His forgiveness, and turn from our sins. In so doing, I guarantee that He will meet you where you are and offer His precious peace and pardon, reminding you that today is a new day, full of grace and forgiveness.

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40 Days of US Lock-down: What I’ve Learned

1. What matters most is my relationship with God and my family/closest friends.

2. People were created for connection and fellowship.

3. Sometimes it’s nice to not have plans because it forces you to live more in the present.

4. God will provided for and protect us if we are faithful to and trust Him.

5. God can use anything for His purpose and plans.

6. Peace and joy can be found in the quiet and still, away from the hustle and bustle.

7. Fear makes people control, or allow themselves to be controlled.

8. “For God has NOT given us a spirit of fear…” 2 Tim. 1:7

9. Now is the time to draw near to God.

10.  Now is the time to share your faith.

11. Always find ways to be a blessing, even in the midst of hardship.

12. Jesus is coming VERY soon!

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God is Faithful (to you too, Mama)

“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24

Sometimes, when God doesn’t answer our prayers, whether big or small, in the way we want, we are tempted to doubt His goodness. As a mom, maybe you’ve prayed over and over again for a full night’s sleep, only to be met with yet another night of troubled sleep (because of your kids). Or perhaps you’ve prayed for you and your kids not to get sick, and then all of you get sick at once. Whatever the case may be, I am here to tell you, that despite how your prayers are answered, God is faithful to you too, mama.

Recently I went through some of the hardest three weeks of my life. I have a baby and a toddler, and both of them got sick, one right after the other, with head colds or the flu (not sure which). During this time, my husband was working almost every night for those three weeks, so I was left alone each night to care for these sick kids. Each night I prayed for sleep, but many times didn’t get much sleep. So then I was tempted to doubt God’s goodness.

But then God reminded me of something…

A couple months before this episode, I had moved my son from a crib to a toddler bed. As a result, he had been waking up a lot each night ever since we had made this transition. But a couple days before my baby started to get sick (which I had no idea would happen), God impressed me to move my son back to the crib. It sounded a bit crazy and most people wouldn’t suggest it, but that is what I felt impressed to do, so I did it. Well as soon as I moved my toddler son back to the crib, he immediately started sleeping well at night again. And then the very next day my baby got sick and was keeping me up at nights, but my toddler was sleeping well again.

It’s like God knew that I couldn’t handle them both being up all night every night, so he caused my toddler to start sleeping well again so that I could tend to the baby. (And then my toddler didn’t get very sick until the baby was sleeping better at night again).

This was a huge testimony to me. Even though God didn’t answer my prayer for sleep on those specific nights, He was making provision for my needs long before I even knew they existed. He was holding true to His promise that “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24)

I want to encourage you too, mama. Taking care of little ones is so hard and so overwhelming, and many days you probably cry out to Him for strength, wisdom, wisdom, sleep, or some other want or need. Sometimes you see Him answer in the way you want, and sometimes you don’t. If/when you don’t see Him answering in the way you want, try shifting your focus to the ways that He has provided for You, or is providing for You now. Perhaps He is providing for you in the timing of something, or in the people or resources that He’s made available. Even though I don’t know your specific situation, I know the God we serve, and I know that He loves you immensely, and I know that He is out for YOUR good and YOUR best interest. I know that He is faithful to you too, Mama. I hope you can believe that too.

Please leave a comment below (by clicking on the article itself) letting me know if you were blessed by this post. Thank you!

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Look at Mama

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:2-3

Since my two-year-old boy is very active and easily distracted, I often find myself struggling to get his attention. One thing that really helps me to get his attention is to grab his face and simultaneously say (in a soft, sweet voice) “Look at mama.” In response, he will usually stop what he is doing and look at me right away. (He is usually eager to hear what I have to say, as if he knows its significance and the power of the words.)

Once I can get him to look at me, and our eyes meet, it’s as if his whole self relaxes – he is still, calm, and focused. Even if he is in the middle of throwing a fit, looking into my eyes will usually calm him down (presumably because he knows how much I love him and that I want whatever is best for him). But the key is that he first has to LISTEN to me say “look at mama” and then he has to OBEY by intentionally fixing his gaze on me.

This relationship dynamic between a mother and a son often reminds me of my own walk with the Lord. How often are my emotions out of control and Jesus is whispering in a soft, sweet voice “Look at me?” Sometimes I respond, but most of the time I don’t. But wow, what if I were to look at Him each time that He bids me to come? Can you imagine the difference that would make in my life? In your life?

In Matthew 18:3 Jesus says, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Perhaps in this verse Jesus is asking us to become as trusting and responsive as a little child in our relationships with Him.

My challenge to you today: next time when you’re feeling frustrated or defeated, humble yourself as a child and fix your gaze immediately on Jesus. In response, Jesus promises “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you.” (Isaiah 66:13).

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All Your Needs

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

What does this verse mean to you? Recently this verse has taken on a whole new meaning for me, as for the first time in my life I have really been claiming its power in my own life. Perhaps when we are most worried and dependent do we then trust God the most to meet our most pressing needs.

In reading through the last few verses of this chapter (Phil. 4:14-20), it is evident that Paul claimed this promise for the Philippians, in response to the gifts (likely monetary) that they had given to him and to his ministry. Although I’m unsure of the exact needs of the Philippians, I find it inspiring that they focused on giving rather than receiving. As a result of their generosity and trusting spirit, God promises here (through Paul) that He would supply their needs.

As with any promise in the Bible, it seems that this promise is contingent on our trust in God, as evidenced by our continued focus on and service to others, rather than focusing on ourselves.

Prior to having my second child, I was quite anxious about taking care of both a newborn and a toddler. During the last couple months of my pregnancy, I was inspired to claim this verse and to let go of the worry. Though I didn’t let go perfectly, I believe that God is now fulfilling this promise for me. Since having my baby, now all I can see is God’s provision and blessing. I am ashamed for the time that I spent worrying, as God has surpassed my wildest expectations, and I want to give Him all the praise and glory.

So how has He fulfilled this promise for me? He has fulfilled this promise for me in many ways, some of which I will list below:

  • During my pregnancy, He led me to read a book called “Newborn Promise” which encouraged me to write out and claim scripture (hence this Bible verse) as part of the preparation process.
  • He allowed me to have a challenging last three weeks of pregnancy, which has helped me to appreciate the newborn phase so much more than I would have otherwise. The challenging last three weeks of pregnancy also helped me to have a smooth labor and delivery.
  • He has helped me to have a smooth recovery period (both mentally and physically).
  • He has given me a good baby who eats and sleeps well.
  • He has given me a calm, helpful husband, which is exactly what I need during stressful times.
  • Even though I live in a new town, he has given me amazing support through long-distance close friends/family, as well as people here who love and care.
  • He purposefully has my husband on night shift right now so that He is home more during the day and more available to help.
  • He worked it out for my husband to take off some time from work to help me during this adjustment period.
  • He has given me such a loving family that has been able to come out and help me.
  • We are blessed to live four hours from my in-laws, and my mother-in-law is a big help.
  • He has provided for us financially so that I’m able to stay home with the kids.
  • He worked it out so that we met our out-of-pocket family costs for this fiscal year (my son had to have emergent surgery) so that our insurance will cover all of our labor and delivery costs.

As you can see, God has literally provided for ALL of my needs, including materially, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. I do NOT say this to brag or to make anyone feel bad, but I say this to give Him praise for what He has done in my life.

Through this experience, something else I’ve realized is that we must CLAIM God’s promises and then LOOK for His fulfillment of those promises. It is a choice that we make each day whether or not to see God working in our lives. Similar to the way some people can see a sunset and deny God’s existence, we can also experience God’s blessings but yet neglect to give Him the credit or praise. It all depends on our focus.

In summary, if there’s anything I can impart to you today, it is 1) to not worry but to trust God in all things 2) to claim His promises as they apply to your life and exact situation and 3) to look for His fulfillment of those promises. Choose to take a second look and see His handiwork in the tapestry of your life.

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Expect Good Things

“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion. For the God is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!” (Is. 30:18)

Currently I’m pregnant with our second child. Having been through the newborn stage once before, I know its difficulty – the unpredictability, the stress, the sleepless nights. As a result, instead of enjoying this pregnancy, I’m frequently lost in my anxieties and worries for this upcoming stage of life.

In the book SOS Help for Emotions, the author Dr. Lynn Clark talks about several lies that we tell ourselves which contribute to our feelings of anxiety. One of these lies is that I can prevent or improve bad outcomes by worrying about them ahead of time (my paraphrase). If I’m honest with myself, I know that I often give into this lie with my thoughts and my behaviors.

Due to my anxieties, I plan ahead. As a planner, that’s what I do. When I’m anxious, I make preparations in hopes to minimize future stress levels. Even though I logically know that planning ahead doesn’t actually control or prevent all future negative outcomes, I still do it.

Part of this behavior is good because it helps me to be responsible and conscientious. However, part of this behavior is bad for several reasons. One, it steals my joy from today. Two, it negatively affects my relationship with the Lord when I don’t actively trust in Him. And three, it robs me of the rewards that come with waiting expectantly in Him.

Many verses in the Bible talk about the rewards that come for those who not only trust in God, but also hope in Him. As they are often listed separately, there seems to be a difference between trusting in God and hoping in Him. Trusting in God means to rest in Him, but hoping in God seems to be more active. It seems to mean expecting good things from Him.

Throughout my life, I have always struggled with the concept of “hope” in the Bible. I seem to grasp faith and love much easier than hope. In fact, many times the idea of hope makes me mad. Perhaps my carnal nature associates hope with flightiness and “head in the clouds” type thinking. Despite this fact, I can’t deny the many times in the Bible where hoping and waiting expectantly for God are met with reward, blessing, and honor.

For example, Isaiah 30:18, which says “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion. For the God is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!” Also, Lamentations 3:24, which says “The Lord is good to those who wait on Him, to the person who seeks Him.” And then of course the more popular verse Isaiah 40:31, which says “but those who hope in [or wait upon] the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

If I believe in God’s Word and in His promises, then I will not only rest in Him (by not trying to plan everything), but I will also expect good things from Him. Therefore, instead of dreading the newborn stage (or whatever stage of life you’re worrying about), I will meet it with hopeful anticipation, knowing that He has good things in store for me and for my son. And in so doing, I will be able to experience the completeness of His blessings and love.

*This content was inspired by Joyce Meyer’s YouVersion Devotional study “The Greatest Gift”