Be of Good Courage

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Ever have one of those days when your child will not listen to reason?

Do you wonder if he will realize that you love him with all your heart and that you really do want his best, even if that means not giving him what he wants?

Ever feel like you are at your wit’s end as a mother?

I do. Often.

One night this week I was up late, after all the house was quiet, journaling to God. Writing letters to God is what I do when I’m upset. I guess you could call it “praying on paper.” And God uses it to help me think through the issues at hand and bring me comfort.

The particular “issue at hand” was all of the above. One of my children had been rebelling against any instruction. He would shoot himself in the foot if it would get him out of chores or school work.

He is bright, passionate, and determined, wonderful qualities that I thank God for. The flip side is that he can be extremely stubborn and unwilling to part with his plan. What I love best about him is also what causes us to battle.

Three Things to Remember

I was starting to despair when God brought three truths to mind:

1. He will never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)

2. He hand-picked my family, just for me. There are no accidents. And He made me the mom, with all the corresponding responsibilities. (Colossians 1:16)

4. I can do all things, through Him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)

Be encouraged today.

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26 Comments

  1. Thank you, thank you…

    Both for sharing your wisdom and for letting us know we’re not the only ones that battle with this in our children.

  2. This post caught my eye because of the title. In my church this year’s theme for the youth is from Joshua 1:9

    “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

    I this definitely applies to motherhood. It’s such a hard job! But, the lord will be with us. What a comfort that is.

  3. Thank you SO much for this—-I’m another one who really needed it, too.

    Thank you, also, for linking to Bible verses! (We REALLY like Bible Gateway at our home, too!)

  4. I can feel for you. I have one of those children that knows the difference between what she is SUPPOSE to be doing and what she IS doing. She has been on a roll now for 2 weeks (shortly after she found out I was pregnant again). Last summer was horrible. I was pregnant then too and it seemed the bigger I got the bigger and more out of control her behavior became. I am determined to nip it in the bud this time. There is no way I am going through a whole pregnancy with her trying to do her own thing.

    Stand strong and hold on to God through this time. That is all we can do sometimes.

  5. Your words have perfect timing….apparently not only for me 😛 It’s always so comforting to know there are so many of us in the same boat……Sharing those truths with us is a total blessing, thank you! I think journaling to God is great way to express yourself….I may have to try that! 🙂 In hard times, I think its so awesome how God can bring everyone together….even for a cyberhug! ((((HUGS)))) to you!

  6. its just nice to hear others in the same boat – I’ve been struggling with one of my kids all last week, and I woke up today feeling defeated, cranky, frustrated and I need to change my attitude so we dno’t have another difficult week, because how can I help him if I’m not in a good place.

    Thanks for the wise words and for letting all of us know we are not alone in our struggles.

  7. I love how you took your problem to the Lord and heard His voice. It is a long lasting victory when it is based on the Word of God and not our own reasoning and ideas. Thank you for sharing.

  8. Thanks for your post. Don’t give up moms – your work is of high, eternal importance.

    I read and then re-read your post from God’s perspective as the Father and each of us as His child. hmmmm Somedays does He wonder if we’ll give up our stubborn ways? So thankful for His love, mercy and faithfulness.

  9. Thank you for this. My mother passed away when my older son wasn’t quite 3 weeks old yet. So most of the feelings that I feel I don’t have a sounding board to find out if they are ‘normal’ or not. It is hugely encouraging to know that there are other mothers out there who feel the same way I do in mothering, and yet, somehow it always works out.
    Again, thank you for this.

  10. oh, so needed and appreciated…thank you for sharing what God laid upon your heart.

  11. Thank you so much for this post! I too have been struggling with a child of mine and much needed to read this.

  12. Thank you for the encouraging post that spoke to my heart today. I am also enjoying the recipes and tips.

  13. Thank you so much for this post! It was very encouraging and just what I needed. Another verse that has encouraged me lately with child-rearing is “And let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9

  14. Thank you for this. I don’t have teenagers yet, but I’m a leader of a youth group and it can get discouraging. Thank you for your wise words. My prayers go out to you. Hang in there. It’s worth it.

  15. Excellent post Jessica! This is so true. Not even just in child rearing, though I often need to reminded in this area, but in all of our life.

    However, it’s during these rough times that we turn to God and draw nearer to Him. When we are told, God doesn’t give us more than we can handle, I think it’s more, He doesn’t give us more than we can handle THROUGH Him. Because let’s face it, life, in and of itself, is more than we can usually handle on our own!

  16. I also pray on paper. This works so well for me. Thanks for the positive encouragement because us Moms could certainly never get enough of it.
    Bobbie

  17. God does such a good job looking after us, doesn’t he?

    I just wanted to write and say, hang in there. It’ sounds like your boy is a very strong willed child — which can be a very good thing although you may want to tear your hair out a lot more with him than the others : )

    I was my mother’s strongest willed child and I am so very thankful that she hung in there even during the really hard times and didn’t take the easy route of letting me have my own way all the time. In time your son will feel the same way.

    Blessings,

    Trixie