Last year was rough for me. For the entire year I felt myself going through a roller coaster of emotions. I had a lot of down days and couldn’t help but feel like I just wasn’t cutting it.
Between motherhood, marriage, work, and the day to day demands, routines, and expectations of life, I was drowning. I literally felt like I was failing at everything and that made me sad all the time.
The worst part about it was that I just couldn’t shake those feelings.
Have you ever felt like that? Just so overwhelmed by it all, and so flustered by all of your responsibilities. So much so that you felt like you just didn’t measure up?
I think that’s why for the first time ever, I was actually really excited about entering a new year. Fresh start, clean slate, new beginnings. Those were all the things that came to mind, and I was here for all of it.
I got off to an okay start. But you can imagine how disappointed I was when by like day 5, those feelings, that overwhelm and stress, and those negative thoughts about myself started showing up just as strong as before.
It was too much. And I finally reached a point where I couldn’t do it anymore. I couldn’t bear being sad all the time. I couldn’t take the stress or overwhelm of trying to navigate life by myself. I couldn’t rely on myself to be strong. I had tried that already, and it wasn’t working out for me.
So, I started praying and asking God to help me, which is something that I realized I wasn’t doing before and hadn’t done in a while.
I started reading my bible and it eventually became a daily habit for me. Up until that point, I hadn’t seriously read my bible in years.
And that stress and anxiety, and even feelings of depression, slowly began to fade.
You know what I realized? I was struggling so much in my life because I had been keeping God out of it. I was really doing life on my own, without acknowledging Him very often. Without seeking Him for guidance or peace. I wasn’t concerned about spending time with Him or time in His word, and it started to show.
It’s day 31 of this new year, and while life is just as crazy and hectic being a working mom, I don’t feel nearly as overwhelmed about it because I know that I don’t have to rely on myself.
Just reading my bible and praying on a consistent basis has given me peace that I didn’t have before.
So I’m here to encourage you.
If you’ve been struggling to find joy in the day to day of raising your kids and managing your house, balancing work life and home life, or trying to keep your marriage solid with everything else that’s going on, you’re not alone. I’m right there with you. Don’t feel like you have to do it yourself, because you don’t.
God gave you your children, so He knows more about them than you do. Ask Him for help when you feel like you’re not getting through to your child, or when you feel like you’re in over your head. Seek Him for peace when your house is loud and rambunctious, or the kids keep fighting. Ask Him for strength and energy when your toddler isn’t sleeping through the night and you’re exhausted. Seek Him when you and your husband can’t seem to get on the same page, or you feel worlds apart.
Pray about your problems, but don’t let those be your sole focus every time you go to God. As challenging as this may sound, once you pray, leave it with God, and just spend time reading the Word with your focus on those scriptures. Not your problems. Not your kids or your marriage. Not the things that overwhelm you. Only the verses on the page. I assure you that if you do that on a consistent basis, seeking God just to spend time with Him, just to learn and focus on Him, you’ll experience a peace that comforts you in ways you didn’t think possible.
If you don’t know where to even begin reading the Bible, download a bible app on your phone. They have tons of reading plans that are specific to certain areas you may be struggling with. They also have a Read Through The Bible in a Year plan, which is what my goal is to do this year. Whatever you choose, just try to be consistent in reading. Here are 2 of my favorite scriptures right now:
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.Isaiah 41:10
Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 25:4-5
You’re going to be just fine. Just know that you don’t have to struggle alone. You don’t have to carry that weight of keeping it all together ALL the Time, or being the perfect mom or wife.
God sees you, and He’s just waiting for you to come to Him so that He can ease your load and guide you as you take care of yourself and your family.
The answer to your stress and overwhelm is time with God and reliance on Him. I know how it feels when you’re taking care of every one else, and you’re so burnt out that you barely have time to take care of yourself. Let God take care of you.
Glad you are feeling better. I do want to start reading the bible more myself. I do find great comfort in it. Last year during Lent, I joined a women’s bible study group at our church and it was so helpful. It was a few months after that, we decided to move cross country for a work opportunity for my husband.
It is so true to not always have time with God about your problems, but to also just let them be in his hands and read his words in the bible. It’s like networking without needing to network right now, LOL.
Thanks so much! Yes, I’m feeling much better! And yes, I’d highly recommend it, even if you’re only ready a few verses a day. It really makes a difference. And right! There’s no need to network lol. Thanks so much for commenting! 🙂