“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.
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i love this little devotions. i can do it on the computer and don;t have to worry about being interrupted.
Tabitha McCoy
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Thank you Glynnis – as a mom of 5 kids, too – this is exactly what I have been dealing with. I get frustrated when they simply ask for a glass of milk – because that’s the 400th thing I was asked to do that day! I grew up an only child and was accustomed to “my time”. God has certainly stretched me by giving me a big family. Thanks for your encouragement.
(I really hope I win your book. I’d love to read it!)
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Thank you for sharing your gift!
I also wonder if I should be working outside the home and helping out financialy. But I know I am right where GOd wants me to be, because home is where I’m needed most right now.
I also thank God for putting my MOPS group in my path too. That Ministry has changed my life and brought me closer to my Heavenly Father.
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I am new to the devotions, but it is now the first place I come in the morning when I get to work. It is refreshing to start the day with encouragement and hope, it seems to help keep the despair away during these tough times. Thank you so much!!
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Exactly the words that I needed to hear. Its a daily battle not to let Satan get in the way of blessing my family. Thank you for reaching out to all mothers and women in all walks of life.
Melody
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Your daily inspiration really helps me get through the day. Thank you.
Sherry
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Life/work/motherhood (i’m new to it as a stepmom) can all be so overwhelming (no children to 3 all at once). I try to stay focused on God and look to him for strength/encouragment but of course it is never easy. Thanks for this wonderful give away and for providing support to us each day!
Janet
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Thank you for the encouragement today. I am at a point in my life where I feel lost and disconnected in all areas of my life, husband, children, church, community etc. I feel alone, even though I know in my heart God is still here. My husband travels out of the country each month for a week sometimes more. we have 2 young children, one with a disability. Since I am the one who stays home I deal with so much. I feel beyond drained, like I’ve lost me. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated. thank you
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Thank you for sharing! This is what I needed after our rough week.
I would love Glynnis’ book as I am struggling to start an at home business!
Blessings,
Susan
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God is good always. He is always on time, never late, but right on time. As I started my day, early this morning, asking God to be my portion for the day, to help me make it through one more day, He responded with “Just Desperate Enough” in my inbox. On my way to dropping off my oldest boys @ school, I was comforted as I listened on the radio when they played Michael W. Smith’s version of the “This is the air I Breathe” song.
Thank You for speaking God’s love into our lives. Everything around us is a reminder that “this is the air we breathe” and without Him we are so lost.
Being a work from home mom of 3 boys, ages 7 and under, can be quite overwhelming at times. But God’s promises are true. His love is Everlasting and His loves endures forever…
I AM Desperate for Him, who first loved me… Because without Him, I am so lost…
HOPE…that is what your devotional has given me today. Yesterday was an awful day. Youngest daughter who is 5 is back to her behavioral issues at daycare. Hit 2 kids and kicked another. I just feel like such a ‘loser mom’ when daycare calls.
Todays post helped me realize this is Satan trying to get me down and I need to turn this over to God.
Feel it is often my busyness with working full time in a very stressful job (one I often question if I should continue in but need money to pay the bills) that causes her to act out since sometime I have little time for her at night. I pray that God can help us through this time and show my husband and I how best to deal with her.
Blessings
Kim
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Thank you for I am in despair!
I am currently disciplining my almost 4 yr old boy while I have the almost 2 yr old daughter running around!! So I sort of know what she is going through.
I feel desperate for help and am reading books, searching for answers and trying to glean information.
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I would love to be entered into the drawing Miranda [email protected] as a work at home mommy it is sometimes difficult to find people who relate to the struggles I have.
I have 3 boys of my own (10, 6, and 4) and have recently obtained custody of my 11 year old nephew. Besides his anger and resentment towards his mom, he hates me, he doesn’t believe in God, and is against everything our family does. I get so discouraged daily, it is very hard to find an even balance between all the boys, and I want to offer my nephew a chance at a stable home and family life. It’s comforting to know I am not alone. Thank you,
Krystal in Virginia
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Thank you for today’s message of hope.I am blessed with four children, spread out from age thirteen to one. There are different challenges as I am required to switch gears and tackle many different problems and issues on their different levels.I desperately want and need God’s help right now, to be the mom he want’s me to be.It’s good to read here and know that I am not alone, sincerely, Angie. email address is [email protected]
Thank you so much for these devotions. They help me to start my day in the right mind set and help me think on things…..You are a blessing!
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This is so helpful to me. I'm trying to introduce God into our daily routine but I feel like I'm talking and talking, but no one is listening. My kids are 5 & 7 and maybe I'm doing too much talking and not enough showing. I pray every morning for God to show me a way to share Him with them so that they can know Him. Thanks so much for this encouragement!
Kim
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Thank you for your daily encouragement! I can completely relate…I also have had 3 boys within 5 years.
Sarah
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Thank you so much, your devotional really spoke to right where I’m at.
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Thank you so much for the encouragin words! I had this crazy idea that when I quit work to stay home and raise our children that our life would be calm, but with 2 small children that are not too many calm moments. I know that I have the most wonderful job in the world and like all other jobs…it is stressful. Thanks for the chance to win.
Susan
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