Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 105 - How to Move From Overwhelmed to Overjoyed
Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 105 – How to Move From Overwhelmed to Overjoyed
Thank you for sharing your day with me. I pray this podcast gives you the awareness and tools you need to STOP being a GOOD mom and BECOME the GODLY mom God entrusts you to be. Then you will be the SET-APART woman PURPOSELY raising children to chase CHRIST over culture.
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Being a mom is an indescribable gift. I think everyone can agree that being a mother can also bring a host of worries, pressures, and concerns. Whether you work inside or outside of the home, you carry loads that may feel like they can never be released to anyone else.
Not only do you have everyday tasks like work, caring for the kids, meals, cleaning, chores, errands, and relationship referee. Motherhood also carries invisible duties your spouse may never think about. Remembering birthdays, anniversaries, events, activities, school requirements, meal-planning, doctor visits, and much more requires effort.
Even more mentally exhausting duties fall to moms. No one else carries the responsibilities of maintaining the right size clothing in your ever-growing child’s closet, making sure you have nutritious snacks in your purse, or having supplies on hand for school projects, or last-minute cards and gifts tucked away in a closet.
Moms are also usually the emotional gauge in the home. Moms are the first to notice when someone is getting sick, isn’t happy, is tired, or is having a bad day. Moms are the first to be concerned about the effects of culture on their children, how to raise children who know and follow Jesus, and to juggle getting everyone out of the door for church on Sunday mornings.
No doubt about it. Motherhood isn’t for the weak. Most moms wish for a strong support system. One on the ground and one above all others. Our Heavenly Father. Hold on. Wait. Maybe we need to look at this with a different perspective. Maybe motherhood is for the weak. It’s best handled by moms who know they aren’t equipped. Instead, they’re ready for a Savior to rescue them.
Because moms can easily become people-pleasers or perfectionists, we can be easily susceptible to anxiousness and overwhelm. It doesn’t help when comparison creeps in as moms look at what others have or are doing on social media. They compare what children of friends, family, or strangers have or do and wonder if they (themselves) are doing enough or if they are enough.
That’s when “mom guilt” can rise up to cause distress and dilemmas. We know those feelings don’t come from God.
Remember, overwhelm is caused in large part by expectations we allow others to place on us. Also by expectations placed on self. This seems a good time to share the old Eleanor Roosevelt quote, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Whether pressure is placed by you or others, it only takes effect when you allow it.
Consider the words of Paul the apostle in 2 Corinthians 11:30, which say, “I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” Maybe motherhood is for the weak after all. But let us not boast in what we do, but in what God can and is doing within us and in our children as we surrender to Him.
If you feel the beginnings of overwhelm or anxiety steal your peace or joy, try to remember you were never meant to carry these loads by yourself. In this episode we’re going to discuss different methods of coping with the thieves that attempt to steal the joy and peace you desire in your life and home. You deserve that peace. After all, remember what Jesus said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
The first step in combating negative thoughts or feelings is to stop and fix your mind above.
You have God’s Truths given through Scripture. I’ll share four others to memorize or keep on hand so that you can fix your heart and mind on these truths when overwhelm threatens to overtake your mood or day.
Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.”
Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Next, think about your routine and schedule. Sometimes you can get stuck doing what you’ve always done. Just like you turn your computer off, then on again, and immediately it works as good as new, it may be time for a reboot.
Your Kids grow and mature, schedules change, and we sometimes remain doing the same things in the same way. It might be time to adjust thinking, schedules, and activities.
Consider these questions. Do you spend time scrolling social media and comparing yourself or your home, husband, or children to others? Do you have a busy life with no room to live the way you secretly desire?
In other words, are you overscheduled, overburdened, and underjoyed? Are the things you’re pursuing going to be beneficial in the scheme of life? Do they serve an eternal purpose?
Review your daily expectations. Evaluate what is a must. Consider what propels you toward eternity and an eternity-focused mindset.
What is moving you and your family toward a godlier lifestyle and trimming away what isn’t beneficial to that goal?
Do you allow yourself time to simply breathe?
Or are you in constant activity and unable to enjoy time with your children or spouse?
Are you able to hear yourself think? If not, you’re not going to be able to hear the still, small voice of God.
Make sure to stop and consider these questions. Schedule time for God, spouse, and self. God should be a daily habit, interwoven through your day, but always beginning with recognizing Him. The more time you spend pursuing intimacy with God through Christ, the less overwhelming life will be.
Matthew 6:33-34 says, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Likewise, time with your spouse makes life sweeter as you reconnect and invest time in God together and with each other. Your marriage, home life, and parenting will bring you more joy and peace.
Moment by moment.
Day by day.
Allow time for yourself - even if you have to find a support system to do it. Perhaps your husband has a work schedule that won’t allow for you to get alone time or time with friends. Get creative.
Enlist parents, a friend from church, or a trusted neighbor or family member to spend time with your kids while you get a little time away. You can even swap time with a good friend and watch her children while she gets things done or relaxes at home, then you have your opportunity. Or have friends over and chat while your kids play together. Have a Bible study together and let the kids join it. Whatever schedule you desire can be worked out with time, patience, prayer, and creativity.
Exercise is another important factor in reducing overwhelm and gaining joy.
Eating properly and hydrating well are just as important. It’s easy to make excuse after excuse, but if you really want to feel or look different, your routine and actions have to change. Exercising and eating well definitely contributes to feeling well physically, mentally, and emotionally.
I also believe that when you’re able to spend time outdoors, whether you are exercising or working in the garden, walking, etc., you also gain greater connection with God as you allow yourself to enjoy His creation. No matter where you are, begin. Put Him first and take the other steps I mentioned, even if you must start slowly.
As your schedule and body are more in alignment with God, ensure that your mind is, too. Instead of practicing meditation, which calls you to empty your mind, fill yours with Scripture that edifies your soul.
Remember, if you are intentional in seeking God first, despitefeelings or circumstances, and you apply gratitude daily with the steps we discussed, overwhelm should fade, allowing overjoy to take its rightful position.
Here’s a recap:
God/Scripture/Prayer
Relationships
Self
Schedules
Exercise/Nutrition
Outdoors
If you take action, change these areas of your life, and stick with it for a time, but still have difficulties with overwhelm, or anxiety, it may be time to visit a Christian healthcare professional who can assess your overall health to see if there may be other areas that need attention.
Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Seek Him and see Him care for you – intimately and personally.
Are you convinced now? Motherhood is for the weak.
It’s for those who invite God to work within them. Motherhood is for the moms who know they need God and move over for Him to be the support system they rely on.
With one foot on the ground and one in Heaven above, call on your Heavenly Father. Live with a perspective focused on eternity. Take pleasure in being weak and calling on Him to equip as you deepen your relationship with Him. Make Him known to your family. Be ready for your Savior to rescue you, to make a barrier between overwhelm and self so you feel the overjoy of life with God, despite circumstances.
Dear Heavenly Father, How great and glorious You are. How we need You in our lives. Father, we are not equipped for the pressures and pains of this world, but You are. You give us all the tools we need to find you and deepen our faith and trust. Help us to do so in ways that honor and please You. Help us be the set-apart women You call us to be so we can give you joy and mentor the way for our children to find You. Help overjoy be the theme of our lives and homes. Erase overwhelm and when it threatens to raise its ugly head, extract it from our heart and mind quickly because we rely on You. Help our children to see our reactions and overjoy and reliance of You and grow to live the same way, completely unaffected by overwhelm. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Raising children is challenging. No one has all the answers because each child is unique as are parenting styles and family dynamics. By connecting with and knowing your children as you maintain purposed growth in Christ, you will be better prepared for any situation you face.
That’s why you hear me share about the Set-Apart Collective in this podcast. I work with ambitious moms who care about making Jesus known to their children. Are you a high-achieving woman who loves Jesus, but is so busy with the rush of work and daily life that you feel like you’re being drained like the water in your bathtub? Do you yearn to get closer to Jesus and show Him to your kids so you will create a love that will last into eternity? The desire is there, but your days spiral out of control before you even think about opening your Bible.
Do you ever stop to think that you are the first Jesus your child will see? Let me remind you there is hope. There is a way you can be equipped to raise kids who chase Christ over culture. If you want a connected relationship with Christ and your children that leads them to your side and His feet, instead of them seeking validation from peers, I have an 8-step program to move you from frustrated to fulfilled. I will show you how to reflect Jesus in a way that attracts your family to a connected relationship that lasts into eternity.
Remember, godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset you carry. If you don’t want peers and culture to be the main influence over your child, if you desire to parent to “prepare” your child for eternity with Christ, not repair your relationship with them, the Set-Apart Collective will arm you with a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model™, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan™. You’ll also deepen your identity in Christ so you can mentor the way for your children to do the same. You will be a purposed mother with an intentional mind and heart set on Christ and your family and you will have the tools to raise set apart kids as you parent the heart, not simply the behavior.
Does this sound like a lifeline to help you be that set-apart mom God has entrusted you to be? Visit terrihitt.com/coaching and click the link for a free, no obligation conversation call with me. This is a strategic call where I will hear your biggest struggle and show you how to turn it into a blessing that will bring you closer to Christ and your children. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ. Time is short. Make yours matter for eternity.
One last thing to remember - if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection with your children and Christ.