The short answer to stop being a stressed out mom is to cut things back, fill up your heart in the Word, prayer, humility, and worship. Often a shift in perspective better equips us to handle the things and situations that are overwhelming to us. Keep reading to see what I mean.
CUT THINGS BACK
You are raising kids, taking care of a home, loving a husband, working, cooking, maybe taking care of a parent. The list goes on with many other things I am sure! It can be easy to get overwhelmed with it all.
If you are a stressed out mom, it is time to honestly evaluate what can stay and what needs to go. If you have too many irons in the fire, take some OUT!
Get honest with your schedule and calendar. Ask yourself if you are trying to be too many places or do too many things? You cannot and should not say yes to everything, even if you think you are the only person that can do it.
My grandma reminds me often, “Casey, you can do anything, but you can’t do everything.”
That goes for you, too!!
Also, it may not be the things you DO that make you a stressed out mom, rather the things you HAVE. Now, don’t mistake this for a how-to-simplify-and-get-rid-of-everything-so-you-can-be-happy-post. That is not what I am saying.
But, this mindset helped me TREMENDOUSLY early on.
EVERYTHING YOU HAVE IS SOMETHING ELSE TO TAKE CARE OF.
Think about that for a second. The toys, tech, furniture, clothes, food, appliances, gadgets, etc. They all have to be tended to in one way or another. Whether it is storing it, washing it, organizing it, fixing it, cleaning it or whatever. YOU HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF IT. And, too much of anything creates visual overwhelm. It contributes to being an overwhelmed mom!
Break it up into bite-sized tasks and start looking at what can be pared down or eliminated. Create some breathing room in your day AND in your space. Decluttering even just some key places in your home can really help reduce some of your stress.
FILL UP YOUR HEART
Spending time in God’s Word everyday is crucial to your spiritual health. Read it. Write it. Memorize it. Sing it.
This may feel like a great feat right now. You feel tired – running on little sleep. Then, the kids wake up hangry, demanding to be fed. So, how do you fit in “quiet” bible time in the morning amidst all that noise?!
This is a great opportunity for you to demonstrate to your kids your love and need for Jesus. If waking up 15 minutes earlier feels impossible, bring them in on your bible time.
Make yourself a cozy spot on the couch, bed, or your favorite chair. Talk to your kids about what you are doing and why it is important to you. Invite them to sit beside you and listen as you read aloud or just to snuggle quietly beside you while you read.
If your kids are older and don’t already, teach them to sit near you with their bible and read quietly at the same time. Then pray together and talk about what you read.
Another great way to get scripture in to your day is to MEMORIZE it! Kids can begin memorizing scripture as soon as they are talking in sentences! Make it a family affair as you memorize verses together.
Also, learning and singing hymns together. They are rich with scripture and theology that points to God. And it will warm your heart when you hear your child singing these beautiful songs as they are playing or working along.
PRAY WITHOUT CEASING
1 Thessalonians 5:17 says to, “pray without ceasing.”
What does this look like?
For you and me, this looks like as simple as remaining in constant communication with our Heavenly Father. Talk to him about what is troubling you. Thank Him for the mundane moments. Cry out to Him when you feel overwhelmed and ask Him to take the burden. Seek Him for new eyes to see things. Ask Him for wisdom, which He “gives generously to all without reproach.” (James 1:5)
Reading our bible is how God talks to us. Prayer is how we talk to God. This is a living and active relationship!
BE HUMBLE AND HONEST
That is a very important perspective for us to hold. You have been entrusted with image bearers of God.
Let your kids see you depending on Jesus. Yes, we want our kids to see us as strong and capable instead of that overwhelmed, stressed out mom, but we SHOW them the gospel when they see us turn to Jesus when we sin, when we are sad, when we are upset, and when we are run down.
Talk to them about what has you overwhelmed (if they are talking). Invite them into an opportunity to minister to someone. Tell them that you could really use a hug or a helping hand and their prayers. Our kids love us and want to make us happy.
By doing this you are teaching them how to show compassion and care for those they love. They don’t have to know the adult things that you are dealing with, but you can share the “what” you are feeling and how they can help.
WORSHIP
This was another game-changer.
When I began to look at my work as worship, I experienced a shift in my behaviors and my mindset.
Colossians 3:15-17
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:23-24 says,
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
This is what you are called to do momma. To do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
“Your greatest contribution to the kingdom of God may not be something you do, but someone you raise.”
-Andy Stanley
Be Encouraged…
This is holy work.
This is kingdom work.
Rejoice in that.
Do it all with a heart of gratitude, singing songs of praise to God, and resting on the promises of scripture.
It is the heavenly kingdom work that you were given. There will still be moments when it doesn’t feel heavenly, but that is where Christ steps in and holds us up.
Fill up your heart with the word of Christ, sing those praises and songs of worship, and do it all to glorify your heavenly Father, giving thanks to Him through Jesus Christ.
I hope you have found encouragement on how to stop being a stressed out mom. It won’t all be fixed immediately, but by prayerfully looking at these things and considering them, perhaps they can help you find some peace.
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