Parents, this one's for you! We are sharing an excerpt from Judy Brisky's new book, The Joy of Being Mom.

Say Goodbye to Discouragement

Parenting. This word can bring both joy and fear to moms and dads alike. Why? I believe it’s because the enemy wants us to be fearful for our children and of our children. He wants us to be afraid that we won’t know what to do, that we’re going to mess up, and that our days are going to be really difficult.

One thing I noticed early on as a mom was the discouragement that so many parents feel. I asked myself these two questions:

1. Why do so many parents find themselves discouraged?
2. Why do so many Christian parents find themselves discouraged?

Maybe the answer is the same for both questions. Many parents don’t read the Bible, or if they do, it’s only when circumstances have become really bad. Consequently, they don’t know that God offers comfort and wisdom for every day in His Word.

Joyful are people of integrity,
who follow the instructions of the Lord.
Joyful are those who obey his laws
and search for him with all their hearts (Psalm 119:1–2 NLT).

Discouragement is defeated when we surrender control to the Lord and allow Him to fill us with encouragement through His Word and His presence. God is all-knowing and all-powerful, and He is available to help us every moment of every day. We just have to ask!

Is it okay to seek guidance from friends and family too? Yes, it certainly is. God designed us to live in relationship with one another, and having godly people you can ask for help is a huge blessing. You can also find advice from wonderful Christian moms in magazines and books and on social media and blogs.

However, be cautious that you do not allow human opinions to have more authority in your life than God’s Word. The Bible is the ultimate authority on what is true and right. In a world where information is simply a click or phone call away, we need to be watchful that the counsel we allow to shape our lives lines up with what God has to say.

It is true that as parents, we won’t always know what to do, and we will make mistakes. Our little ones (and not so little ones) are hard work! Training children to be loving, respectful, and obedient takes time, energy, and a whole lot of prayer.

Here is something else that is equally true: your children will bring you tremendous joy. They will help you learn to hear God’s voice as you seek His counsel and direction for your family. They will help your faith grow stronger as you spend time in prayer, asking for wisdom and strength.

Most importantly, your children will help you remember how much God loves you. When your heart swells with love at the sight of their faces, it will be a reminder of how much the Lord loves them and you. How amazing is that?

Purchase your physical copy of The Joy of Being Mom at the link here to read more. 

Copyright © 2021 by Judy Brisky