“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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God Bless all of you Proverbs 31 women! These encouraging words everyday are so incredible to me! What a joy you are to reach so many women and families!
My email address is: [email protected]
Much needed, thanks for sharing! God Bless you in your ministry and service to the Lord.
[email protected]
Your words are so encouraging! I’m definitely interested in the giveaway book, since I’ve left the office world to stay home and pursue my writing and artistic passions. My email address is [email protected] if you need it. Thanks again!
-Michelle
I just found your blog today. Just in time, this is my last week at my job – next week I begin staying at home as a full time mom of three teenagers. Thank you for the encouragement!
[email protected]
Thank you so much for the encouragement. I have two boys under 6 and transitioned to working from home about 2 years ago. Thank you for being the tool God used to speak to me today.
Kristi in Texas
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Jesus came to give us Hope, thank You Lord!
Lisa in WA
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Wow! There are days when I feel absolutely desperate. I am a stay at home mom of three. My husband had a stroke a few years ago and is unable to help out very much. So it all falls in my hands. Thank you for the encouraging words. [email protected]
I related to the story today and just have to say thank you so much for the encouragement. Often, I feel like a bad mother, with two boys and a girl ages 10, 8, and 4 there is not enough hours in the day to take care of everything and it makes me feel like I always neglect something in my life. Me, my kids, my husband, my home, or my job. It is very overwhelming.
Thank you so much for doing what you do, I could spend hours on here reading and listening to all that you offer. Keep up the great work!!
Thanks!
Rhonda in Texas
[email protected]
i WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THIS ENCOURAGING WORDS. SOMETIME I FEEL SO ALONE TRYING TO RAISE MY SON. BUT READING THE WORD EVERY DAY HELP ME GET THROUGH IT.
I navigated to your site after reading Glynnis Whitwer’s devotional this morning. As is God’s way, her devotion really hit home with me, as I have struggled with parenting this week. Proverbs 31 devotions are always an encouraging part of my day, and I sometimes e-mail them to my friends when they come to mind. I came to your comment section because I was interested in your give-away of the family devotions. My e-mail address is [email protected].
Just found this site and I’ve already passed it on to my other mommy friends! thank you so much! we need more christian mother resources like this!
I’d also like to enter today’s contests!
Amy
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It’s just a blessing today to see I’m definately not alone. As a mom of six, there are days I question God to “what were you thinking?”. I know He is in control, I just need to stay focused on Him, not the 245th load of laundry, the medical bills that need organizing and paying, the jello on the floor, next to the spilled apple juice. It’s hard! 🙂 Today’s day off of school due to cold, will surely be a test.
[email protected]
What wonderful words to hear this morning, as I am trying to do the right thing in mothering!
Kendra
Thank you! I always enjoy your posts, but God used you to speak directly to me today about being a discouraged mom. Our older son struggles with severe anxiety and has recently been diagnosed with Asperger's. I feel very alone most days because the world just doesn't understand him…especially the world of middle school! I often forget how Satan uses despair & fear to try and drive a wedge between God and me. Thank you for reminding me of that. I feel strengthened and ready to go back and face my day!
🙂 Ruth Ann
Thank you so much for your time and devotion to reaching out to others!
In His Grace-
Annette
[email protected]
I just came upon your website today. How wonderful! The encouraging words, shared Bible verses, the stories of other women going through the same daily ups and downs as myself. Thank you for giving of your time to help other women like myself. God bless you.
[email protected]
Hi Renee,
I really do have a wonderful family – am much loved by my husband and have two wonderfully-behaved, loving and caring children.
However, I have failed them miserably. Please pray for me and for them. I am raising two morbidly obese children and I don’t know how to help them. My husband, as wonderful as he his, denies that they have a problem. I just don’t know what to do. I want them to live a healthy and happy life. I just need direction.
Thank you,
[email protected]
Dallas, Texas
I appreciate the encouraging thoughts- I often feel discouraged as a parent and woman. I can’t seem to get everything together. As I struggle to balance life as a SAHM of 2 preschoolers, wife and home manager,etc. I need to be reminded to keep my focus on God, listen for Him and to just keep going. [email protected]
I would love to have this book!! Thanks for the encouragement today! I wrote down the quote ” Dont doubt in the dark, what you know to be true in the light.” I needed to here that!
Tiffany
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Thank you for being there for me each morning as I start my day. I have 2 boys of my own, the oldest just turned 13. As I get one behavior figured out, they change. I always enjoy the encouragement I get from real women with real problems. Angela Goodwin [email protected]