When feeling overwhelmed as a mom, turn to Psalm 34. Leaning on God and drawing strength from His promises helps remind mamas of the good things their Heavenly Father has in store for their motherhood journey, even on the days when it feels like their children will outlast their coffee!
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There isn’t a lot in the Bible that speaks to motherhood. And if you’ve tried to read Proverbs 31 about being a good wife, you might have felt overwhelmed.
Proverbs 31 is not a passage I can read and not feel guilty about. In the early days of motherhood with young children running around I do not feel like a Proverbs 31 wife. I am not buying property and making money off of it. I don’t sew. My back hurts so badly some days I can barely lift my toddler and my household doesn’t look like anyone is “looking after its affairs” after my kids are through with it.
Of course, I say these things and laugh because I know these crazy days will slow down and in a short while I will be able to focus more on being a dignified wife and less like a frazzled mom.
But that doesn’t help me in the chaotic days of little people running and screaming through the living room. What does the Bible say about moms? Where is the passage about how to keep your head above water when you feel overwhelmed by the over-stimulation and meeting everyone’s needs?
Being a Psalm 34 Mom
Psalm 34 is one of those passages that spoke to me in a way I wasn’t expecting. I went to it looking for something else and discovered verses that were exactly what I (as a mom) needed and I knew others would need to.
It’s not about being perfect or being called “blessed” by our children. It’s about leaning on God through motherhood so we can raise our babies in a Christian home. We are building this foundation of faith for them and it means we need to keep scriptures close to our hearts for the days of weariness.
Join me as I explore Psalm 34 and explain how it can bring you closer to God, give you comfort on the tiring days and remind you of this distinguished job of motherhood.
Praise the Lord for His Goodness – Psalm 34:1-3
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
At all times we are to praise the Lord. And not just sing of His blessings but to boast of them too! We should tell our children how amazing their Heavenly Father is, give thanksgivings in every situation and extol the Lord at all times.
When our focus is on God, on the good things He provides, it helps us see past the sticky messes, whiny preschoolers and mundane chores of the day. Our outlook and perspective become one of joy because of God’s goodness.
We should have our children join us in praising Him too. They should look for His wonderful works in their own lives because they see us doing it and together, as a family, give thanks for all He has done!
God Will Deliver You – Psalm 34:4-7
I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
Society today has a way of making moms feel like they are inadequate. If they aren’t working out, reading the Bible all day, making home-cooked meals, growing a garden, homeschooling, working from home and making their children’s clothing then they aren’t a good mom. As if any of those things matter (except reading your Bible!)
These anxieties we face as moms…whether we are worthy of the job, whether we are raising our children right, whether we are meeting the needs of our husband, these are fears! The Bible is clear that fear is not of God. God does not give us a family and attach “anxiety” to the list of things we need to do for them.
What we need to do is seek the Lord and ask that He deliver us from the fear and anxiety in our heart.
With our faces towards God, we will be made radiant. Yes, radiant, Psalm 34:5 is clear about this! We will not be put to shame for anything the world thinks we should be doing (and aren’t doing it).
Instead when we raise our children in truth, love and God’s peace, we don’t need to worry about anything else. If we are walking on God’s path, letting Him guide our steps we don’t have room for worry or anxiety because our God has shown us time and time again that we can trust what He promises for us!
If you are feeling burnt out, check out this free resource to help you focus on God during your day and discover His strength to grow in your faith, love your babies with God’s love and build a Christian home. Get your copy of “Overcoming Mom Burnout” free digital download here.
Leaning on God – Psalm 34:8-10
Oh taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the woman who takes refuge in Him!
When the days are hard, remember you are blessed when you lean into your Heavenly Father. He is more than a God of wisdom and forgiveness, He is a God of comfort and peace too. He says we will find refuge in Him, that is where we are strengthened.
It is coffee that wakes us in the morning, but it is God who should continue to power us for the rest of the day. And I mean really lean into God, let Him be the love you pour into your husband, the patience you give your toddler and the kindness you share with your neighbour. Let His blessings pour out of you and into those around you.
God is where you should run first because He will fill your cup until you are overflowing!
We know that those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. We may find ourselves in situations of uncertainty or pain, but God promises not to leave us there. We can trust that through Him there will be goodness on the other side.
As a mom, we have to have faith, faith for ourselves and faith for our children. To know that God will care for them as He cares for us. Leaning into God is the only way we can have grace sufficient enough for this wonderful job of motherhood!
Teach Your Children About God – Psalm 34:11-14
Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Teach your children about how to fear the Lord. Not the same fear we have about strangers or wild animals, but fear as in respect and love.
Our Heavenly Father cares for us, even when we don’t realize it. Raising our children to know God on an intimate level, and to seek His presence always will help them understand what it means to fear the Lord.
Raise them to speak words of truth, kindness and justice. Raise them to turn from evil, to always look for the good. Raise them to seek peace in every situation. Raise them to pray. Raise them to stand for God with absolution.
God Hears You – Psalm 34:15-18
The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears toward their cry.
You know how some days it feels like no one is listening to you? You might as well be a broken record playing on repeat that everyone is ignoring because no one, NO ONE seems to care about the words coming out of your mouth.
Guess what, there is someone who cares! Someone who hears you say “Clean up this mess” 14 different ways. Someone who hears you restrain the impatience as your kid babbles away about the door instead of putting their shoes on. And there is someone who hears your weary soul cry out “Help me love these children!”
The Lord sees you, He hears you and He is attentive to these days of struggle. He knows how hard this job is but He also knows how important it is. He has plans for you and for your children.
He will be close to you through it all. Every milestone your child reaches that brings a tear to your eye, all the memories you create, He is right there cheering both of you on. Your child for their achievement and you for being the love and support they needed to get there!
The Righteous Will Be Redeemed – Psalm 34:19-22
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers her out of them all.
God does not promise it to be easy. He does not promise it will be pain-free. He does not promise we will be free from trouble. But He does promise to deliver us from the difficulties. He promises that if we have drawn close to Him, He will be the mighty warrior who slays the wicked and delivers the righteous.
Typically motherhood is a battle with no visible foe. Our children are not there to stop us from drawing close to God, they are not there to be a stumbling block for us. It is the enemy who uses those thoughts and ideas to make us think those things.
The enemy is the biggest foe of motherhood. He is the slippery serpent who seeks to slither into our homes and destroy what we have built. But a house built on God’s firm foundation will not fall. And if we remain righteous, if we remain steadfast, we will be redeemed! God will deliver us from anything the enemy tries to throw our way.
Walk that righteous path. Do not get caught up in the difficulties of the day and think God has forgotten you. He is with you, He is for you, He is fighting and with Him, you will win!
Drawing Strength from God
Teach your children about God’s strength through prayer! Grab this resource from Etsy to help grow your child(ren)’s prayer life!
The Bible is unchanging and yet every time we read it we find renewed strength, inspiration and encouragement. Psalm 34 is a chapter I have read many times but it spoke to me differently when I looked at it through the lens of motherhood.
God breathed so many wonderful truths into His word that we can use to be reminded of His love and faithfulness. Especially during our days of raising children and building a Christian home. I pray you find encouragement in Psalm 34. I pray you keep the verses in your heart or in your kitchen window so you can love your children the way God loves you.
I hope that by leaning on God and drawing strength from Psalm 34 you are able to step into your daily routine today, tomorrow and next week, filled with the Holy Spirit, armed with God’s strength and walking His path of righteousness!
You got this Mama!
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