3 Ways for Moms to be Happier With Their Life
2020 made many moms feel anxious and claustrophobic, like they were in a room with the windows and doors locked tight. We experience anxiety from:
· Lockdowns - being stuck in small spaces with little relief or escape
· Kids being at home 24/7, causing more messes and work
· Being responsible for remote learning
The walls seem to be closing in, causing fear of the future with:
· Feelings that our children are falling behind
· Job losses and bills piling up
· Separation from loved ones and relationship conflicts
How do we get relief when we have no control of our circumstances? How can we be happy when anxiety and fear surround us?
This verse in the Bible tells us how:
“Give thanks in all circumstances . . .”
Does that make you want to scream, “THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE!” That’s what I said one day when I heard my son’s doctor say, “He might die.” He kept talking, but I didn’t hear much after the word “die.”
My 14-year-old son and I drove home in silence to a cold, dark house. Blair went to his room and shut the door. I fell onto the couch in exhausted despair.
“And how do you want me to handle this, Lord?!” I cried out loud with anger in my voice.
In the stillness, I heard, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will . . .”
“ARE YOU KIDDING!” I yelled indignantly in rebellion.
Somehow, it felt like God’s presence began receding from the room. I knew I needed the Lord on my side at this time in that dark space, so, after a long silence, I muttered, “Thank you for allowing us to go through this.” I didn’t feel grateful and I didn’t even want to be thankful or think it was possible.
“Please make something good out of this,” I prayed. “Thank you for being with us through this difficult situation.” The more I prayed the more my anger subsided. I stopped gritting my teeth. God’s peace surrounded me. Somehow, the Lord took my forced prayer of thankfulness and transformed it into genuine gratitude as I sat in the living room, far from alone.
When we express gratitude to Him, it takes our focus from stress, anxiety, and our circumstances, and calms our heart, allowing us to be happier.
To begin the practice of thankfulness, start with these three things:
BE THANKFUL WHEN YOU WAKE UP: Since we generally look at our phone first thing, consider a screensaver with a verse to remind you to be thankful first thing in the morning. Even before you get out of bed, send up a quick prayer (I call them “Rocket Prayers”) thanking the Lord for the new day.
WRITE DOWN 10 THINGS YOU ARE GRATEFUL FOR: Get a notebook or journal and start writing down at least 10 things per day, in complete sentences, that you are grateful for. “Thank you, Lord, that my son is healthy,” or, “Thank you that the baby slept through the night.” Then express your gratitude by praying out loud about each of the ten things.
3. INTENTIONALLY FIND THINGS THROUGHOUT THE DAY TO BE GRATEFUL FOR: Stop and send up a silent rocket prayer thanking the Lord: “Thank you, Lord, for the beauty of the first snow,” or, “Thank you, Lord, for a warm house on this cold day.”
The more we choose thankfulness as a consistent part of everyday life, the less we feel alone and the happier we are. The walls are pushed back and the windows are opened—the Lord changes our hearts and we will become thankful, happy people in our current circumstances.
Join Brenda Jacobson at purposefulchristianparenting.com for downloadable screensavers, encouragement, community, and help in parenting.
