What to Do When You Can’t Get Past the Hard in Your Day

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We know all the verses, don’t we, about rejoicing in adversity and taking joy in trials? But on those very hard days when you have a thousand things coming at you without the mental strength to process or deal with them all, those verses can seem more like a distant fairy tale for people more spiritual than you.

So what do we do? When we’re beyond tired? When we’d rather cry than face the challenges of a difficult child or marriage? When we know we aren’t living an example of joy and overcoming in front of our children?

It’s time for a heart and mind renewal. 

I want you to go somewhere quiet–preferably outside. When the kids nap or are doing their schoolwork, or even if you have to put on a movie to make sure they’re safe–get somewhere quiet and take a Bible, a journal and a pen with you.

I want you to be still and if you feel like crying, cry. If you can’t pray, say, “Lord, I need you.”

Ask forgiveness for any sins that might hinder your prayers or be hindering your heart, and then pour your woes out to the Father.

THEN, open your Bible to Psalm 112. Read it through slowly and then start back through again. But the second time, underline these words:

Light dawns in the darkness for the upright;

For the righteous will never be moved;

He is not afraid of bad news;

His heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.

His heart is steady; he will not be afraid,

Then write those lines in your journal because you will need to read them over and over, memorize them over the next few days. You are resetting your thinking pattern.

What you need to remember…

See Mama, I’ve said before that discouragement is the number one enemy of a mother. A discouraged mother is handicapped and Satan knows it well. It is our battle to fight it with a full on attack and the BEST way to cause our enemy to retreat is Scripture. 

But not only that, we reprogram our thinking when we speak life to ourselves. It’s so easy for us to mutter those discouraging things that come to define us if we let it. “I can’t do this.” “Why does everyone make such a mess?” “This is too hard, too overwhelming, too…” And what we say/what we think eventually becomes who we are.

God has not given us his Word just to scroll beautiful verses on our walls for decoration! Good news–Our salvation is not just for eternal inheritance; we have an earthly inheritance that is LIGHT, COURAGE, and STEADFASTNESS. Here. now. No matter the circumstances.

Look at the verse that says, “Light dawns in the darkness…” There IS darkness in the life of a believer. It shouldn’t surprise us. But there is always light coming.

But we have to pay attention to the first part of that chapter to see what the catch is: “Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments!”

Say to your soul, “I will not be moved. I will not be afraid. My heart is firm and I trust the Lord. My heart is steady.” Say it as many times as you need to until you let the power of His Word go to battle with the defeating voices of the enemy in your head.

Your children will be mighty in the land because our Heavenly Father goes before us to bless the righteous and steadfast. He is a good and gracious Father and He never leaves us or forsakes us.  No matter where you are. No matter what part of our story is being written. There is a beautiful ending.

For a daily battle-engaging devotion just for moms, When Motherhood Feels Too Hard  is short and powerful, sure to change the way you view parenting so you can build your home and not tear it down.