Being a mother is hard. Sometimes you just need to admit it. Say it out loud to let mom know that this show (while great) doesn’t always feel that way… What do you mean when you say “challenging”?
Let’s be honest, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that we should feel a certain way or that motherhood should somehow come naturally to us, especially since our faith is meant to carry us through, right? After all, the Bible is full of verses about parenting that call us to train these little darlings with a gentle mixture of discipline and love, and to see it as pure joy while cultivating a foundation of faith. If we manage to follow God’s instructions, what’s the problem?
Well, as you may already know, a lot of things can actually go wrong. After reprimanding a rebellious child, being a mother can leave you feeling alone as you grapple with the burden of conviction and guilt. It can also be downright discouraging to watch a struggling teen drift away from the faith you so lovingly set before them. Not to mention all the other cases where personal inadequacies, past hurts, comparing ourselves to other mothers, frustration, or just hormones (you seriously can’t ignore these pesky destroyers) come into play and sabotage all our joy.
So what should I do? Even though we may be smiling on the surface, we may feel like no one understands our shortcomings, or we may pretend that we are okay. But either way, everything is done in silence.
So let’s break the silence today!
lies we believe
What if I told you, especially as a mother, that all these struggles are built on lies? Yes, that’s a big lie! Everything you believe about motherhood, which robs you of your joy, robs you of your peace, and forces you into silence, is a ploy strategically executed by the King of Lies. The enemy is using your silence to destroy your testimony as a mother. Please read that part again. The enemy takes advantage of your silence and uses your own personal weaknesses, imperfections, and inherited sinful nature to distract you from the truth.
Can’t you see it? He wants you here! It’s all mind games.
How does Satan know what you believe? He isn’t. But he listens and watches carefully. Every word you say in frustration, every cry for help. He uses it as ammunition. So, as you sit quietly rocking that sweet baby to sleep, she whispers lies about your failures. When he realizes he has no one to talk to on a playdate with his mom friends, he whispers lies about camaraderie and friendship. He whispers more and more lies as we enter a new scary season or watch our baby grow.
The bottom line is that the enemy wants you to sit and be silent, trapped in the idea that motherhood is restrictive and hopeless. Satan is stealing the rewards of raising a tribe of fearless warriors. That means we have to stop playing his game!
the truth that sets us free
Thankfully, God took our mama’s hearts into consideration when He gave us a parenting manual. The Bible may contain many wise words for parents, but it also speaks to the nature of our hearts, which often remain silent when we want to be heard. Remember that the Bible was written for people who were suffering and in desperate need of hope and encouragement, which means it was written for almost all of humanity. The good news is that by acknowledging the harsh realities of motherhood, we can discover some undeniable truths that can liberate us.
God understands that! Because God is a father, He knows that raising children is difficult, and He is heartbroken every time one of His children goes astray (Matthew 18:10-14). Dear you, you may be the person God is looking for. It invites you to come back and abide in God, trust Him, and allow Him to move in your life as a mother. Can you hear the Lord calling you softly? Please take a moment and listen.
Dear mom friend, God doesn’t expect you to figure it all out. God is just waiting for you to come to Him and break your silence and share your heart. That way we can meet you where you are. God knows what you are going through, He hears the painful words left unsaid, He feels the pain in your heart, but He is waiting for you so that He can remind you of the truth.
In fact, God says that the greatest blessing you can have as a mother is to faithfully serve Him to the best of your ability by loving and training the children He has given you. He’s not looking for perfection. As His mother, He seeks your service in this ministry. There are no guarantees, but if we remain faithful, God will see. God knows. And the reward is not having perfectly loyal and obedient children or experiencing immense joy. It means you pour your heart and soul into your family and know that God will be an active participant in it all.
So let us cast out the lies while proclaiming the truth. When you have a bad day that forces you to be solemn and silent, do you choose to fight the good fight? We recommend chanting the following scriptures out loud to warn the enemy of who he is messing with and to send a clear message that you need to retreat.
God is my Comforter (Isaiah 16:13).
God is my strength (Exodus 15:2).
God is my protector (Psalm 18:2).
God is my provider (Philippians 4:19).
God help me (Romans 8:28).
God hears my prayers (Matthew 21:22).
God sees me and my struggles (1 Peter 2:9).
God wants me to be still before Him (Psalm 46:10).
Break the silence. Please talk to your father. He always makes time for you, my darling daughter.
A prayer to encourage you now!
When you are so overwhelmed by conflict that you embrace silence, pray. Pray out loud to defeat your enemies, friends! Pray to remind us of the truth. Let’s pray because we know that God actually commands us to pray and that it promotes our relationship with Him. Praying out loud welcomes God into your heart, mind, and soul.
Faithful Father, thank you for blessing your children and giving me this precious role called “Mom.” I don’t take this title lightly, and I hope with all my heart that I can become good at it. But to be honest, there are many really difficult days, and I feel like I’m falling short or failing in many ways. It hurts to know that you are not good enough and that your children are not doing their best. It’s easier to believe the lies at that point because you’re already devastated. But God, I know that with You, I can stand up and lean into Your loving arms for support. Oh, I desperately need your help right now. Please wrap me in your warm embrace and remind me of the truths found in your loving words. Please take them back loudly in my heart. That way I can bring them into existence. Forgive me when I betrayed You and sought a dark path, and when my heart wanders to that place again, shine your light to draw me back to You, God. I love you and I need your grace every day. Amen.
Related resources: When you feel like giving up or walking away
When you reach that quiet moment where you think, “I don’t know if I can keep doing this,” you’re not alone. In this episode, we get honest about soul-level fatigue, the temptation to choose comfort over commitment, and why patience is essential to spiritual maturity.
Through the story of Elijah the First King, we see that God does not condemn us, but greets us with rest, nourishment, and whispers of grace. If you’ve ever felt tired, discouraged, or even close to quitting, this conversation will help you realize that you’re exhausted. But God is faithful.
Please don’t leave.
Sometimes a breakthrough comes just when you’re about to walk away. If this episode of That’s Just What I Needed helped you prioritize what’s most important, be sure to follow the show on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode.
Photo credit: ©tatyana_tomsickova
Alicia Searle is a dedicated author, blogger, and speaker who is passionate about pouring out her heart and leading women of all ages to Jesus. She has an academic background and holds a master’s degree in reading and writing. Her loved ones call her Mama. So much of her time is spent cheering them on at softball games and dance classes. She’s married to her crush (a tall, spiky-haired blonde) who can make a mean latte. She writes her heart on the page while sipping on the deliciousness as the puppy licks her paws. Visit her website aliciasearl.com and connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
