Putting Hope Back in God
I've really been overwhelmed with motherhood lately. Taking care of an almost three year old and an almost one year old is a lot of work! I’ve had times lately when I find it very hard to stay happy and positive.
When this happens, in order to fix my mood, I've been taking as much “me" time as possible. I really enjoy the alone time sitting at the coffee house crocheting, reading or doing whatever. But when I’m down, those feelings of unhappiness and anxiousness return as I get back to being full-time mommy. I then find myself asking: Why is the responsibility of raising kids overwhelming me? Is this normal? What's wrong with me?
Then it dawned on me. I'm putting my hope in the wrong place. I was thinking that simply spending alone time was the cure. While alone time certainly is good and helpful, in where should my hope lie? Then the answer struck me. With God, of course!
When these moments set in, it is always encouraging to remember that the great men and women of the Bible occasionally lost their hope and focus. King David got discouraged and depressed quite often, and he had to remind himself to put his hope back in God.
"Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God..." Psalm 43:5
He asked himself, "Why are you sad, why are you anxious; hope in God."
Reading that scripture is what inspired this blog post. I've been asking those same two questions for months, but missing the solution "hope in God".
After reading what David wrote, immediately I thought of Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
This has been very rejuvenating for me. I’m now reminded to pray always and put my hope and trust in God. I turn to God and He helps me through the struggles and helps me find joy and happiness throughout the day, especially when those moments and feelings of being overwhelmed return.