Last Updated on March 21, 2018
During those early years as a mother of four, I found that just managing the daily parenting and basic household routines required discipline and strength that went beyond my natural abilities. I was not smart enough or emotionally fit enough to do all that I wanted in a 24-hour day.
While caring for and nurturing my toddlers, cleaning food and drink spills, kissing boo boos, and calling time-outs absolutely drained me, I also desired to be a responsive, godly wife to my dear husband on his arrival home from work. Yet at times I dreaded the latter part of most days. I was simply weary.
As a follower of Christ I knew what John 10:10 says, “…I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.” Yet I was not experiencing this abundant life on a regular basis. It was weariness that drove me to seek the Lord for answers as to how to enjoy life fully and not just endure it.
It was during my Bible readings that God showed me a pathway to abundant living as a follower of Christ. Let me suggest that it is through the peace of God!
First, let the peace of God guard your mind. A very familiar passage, Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ.” His peace sets a garrison, a guard, around your heart and mind to inhabit your thoughts and renew the mind. When my weary mind wanders, it spirals into “woe is me.” Motherhood does not make it impossible to enjoy life. Knowing and trusting God makes the difference.
Secondly, let the peace of God guard your heart. Colossians 3:15 says, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts …” When we allow our hearts to be at complete rest in Him and allow Him to call the shots, then we are at the place where peace can settle. I found that my shower times were a place of rest! I don’t have to be overwhelmed with life. Christ rules!
Lastly, let the peace of God guide your path. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” God is quite aware of the demands of a woman, a mother. He is not asleep at the switch or uncaring about your life. He loves and cares enough to desire that we follow His path in life. It is my decision to say, God, you created me. You know me. I surrender to Your will. Please do your work!
I wish I could say that the peace of God is a regular experience for me. However, I know that just having His pathway to this peace challenges me to make it a goal.
Will you be my grandma? 🙂
Wonderful post, thank you!
Sue
Karen, thank you for the reminder that peace comes from spending time with God. I’ve found that my level of unrest and dissatisfaction increase when I don’t spend time in the Word. When my children were young, I didn’t have time to be in the Word so I had to make time at least a few days a week to read the Word and pray. If I didn’t, I began to feel like a wreck as a mother and wife, and, frankly, I didn’t like myself. As a mother of teens now, I find life too busy to get into the Word, but I just have to find a way, or the peace that you spoke of eludes me (and no one wants to be around me). One thing that has helped me to be accoutable to be in the Word in recent years has been to attend an organized Bible study once a week.
{Kathy} This is great advice! It is amazing what our minds and bodies can do during the years of mothering little ones. God has a wonderful habit of multiplying our energy and time. Keeping disciplined is to me the hardest part.