Moms Desperate for God

“Don’t doubt in the dark,
what you know to be true in the light.” Anonymous

My friend Glynnis had three little boys within five years. She quickly felt overwhelmed by the role of molding the hearts and managing the behaviors of three very different children! After attending a parenting class her church offered, Glynnis felt hope when she heard stories from other parents. She wanted more classes and encouragement. Since there wasn’t anyone to lead a parenting ministry, Glynnis’ pastors asked her and her husband to help.

Although they didn’t feel qualified, they were willing try anything to get support, even revealing to others that they weren’t perfect parents. When they shared their problems with other parents, they received wise counsel and practical suggestions that really helped.

As Glynnis shared in her devotion on the P31 website today, God wants us to come to Him, just like the woman in Luke 8:44-48 who went to Jesus desperate for help despite what others thought.

Discouragement is one of the things that sends me into a tailspin of desperation as a mom. Like the woman in the passage of Luke who was completely depleted of her energy, her strength and her resources, I can get so wiped out that I start to feel hopeless. I just wish I could learn to start running and hanging onto Jesus before I get to that desperately discouraged place. I asked Glynnis if she ever struggles with discouragement. Here is what she had to share:

This is a challenge I’ve particularly faced being a mother. My time is not my own when even one of my five children are at home. Even when they are away, there is laundry, dishes and papers to read or fill out. I often wonder what I could accomplish if only _________. (you fill in the blank).

As I’ve navigated parenthood and working at home, I’ve had to deal with this issue of discouragement, and realize it’s not God’s plan for me. Despair is Satan’s plan for me. He has no hope and he wants Christians to join him in his pit of despair.

For me, it comes down to - who (or what) do I trust? God has challenged me to answer that question. When my faith is misplaced, discouragement and despair have a speedway to my heart. But when it’s placed appropriately in God, then I might have some blue moments over the daily frustrations of life, but they don’t keep me down. Here’s an excerpt from my book, “work@home” about dealing with this particular challenge:

A wise friend once told me “Don’t doubt in the dark, what you know to be true in the light.”

Remember the words in Jeremiah 29:11, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’”

While despair is Satan’s plan for you, hope is God’s design for you. There is only one place true hope can be found and that is in God.

Hope comes in our relationship with Jesus and all our needs can be met completely and permanently.

Hope is what we hang onto when life doesn’t make sense and tragedy hits.

Hope is how we can agree with Paul and say “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Hope is how we endure when life is difficult. Paul, Silas and Timothy wrote to the church of the Thessalonians and said, “We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:3)

When you start to doubt your purpose, remember to look to God for the answers. Keep your eyes focused on Him, and He will direct your path.

In Christ’s Love,
Glynnis Whitwer
http://www.glynniswhitwer.com/

If you feel desperate, discouraged or in need of hope, please let me know how I can pray for you today. I want this “Month of Encouragement for Moms” on my blog to be a place where you can be real about where you are as a mom and find God’s hope through His Word and through the stories of other moms just like you!

Copyright 2009, Renee Swope - All rights reserved.

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Today's Mom Give-Away

We're giving a copy of Glynnis’ book "work@home" designed to help women transition from the traditional workplace to working at home. Practical in nature, it includes chapters on budgeting, starting a home based business or organizing your home office. Glynnis offers encouragement for moms at every stage of working at home!

We're also giving away a year's worth of Family Devotional Magazines from D6.

To be part of today's give-aways, click on the words "comments" below this post. PLEASE include your email in your comment so we can get in touch if you win!

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Many moms today are feeling desperate, discouraged and alone in their struggles. The D6 Conference is a movement of Christian leaders rising up to encourage and equip today's mom, and dad. Consider registering before the early bird deadline ends Feb 2nd!

Glynnis is doing a series for Work@Home women on her blog . For more encouragement as a mom, read You Are not Alone by clicking here, after leaving a comment to participate in today's give-away. Be sure to leave your email, too.

Blessings,