Stacey A. Shannon is a freelance journalist and blogger who has been published internationally. She's also a Christian, a wife and a mom of two school-aged children. She started Families with Grace in 2019 to encourage Christian moms as they create homes filled with grace, love and faith.
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How understanding your teen’s enneagram can help you connect more
This past school year, my daughter completed a unit in which her class took all sorts of personality tests. We talked about her enneagram type a little bit afterward.
I thought it was a pretty neat activity to do with a group of middle schoolers. So when I came across an opportunity to review “The Enneagram for Teens” from Ainsley Britain, I jumped at the chance.
I figured it’d be something my incoming high school freshman daughter and I could talk about, especially because it approaches enneagrams from a Christian perspective.
What I didn’t expect, however, was how much I’d truly enjoy and appreciate the book myself!
Affiliate links are used in this post, if you make a qualifying purchase via my link, I receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. It helps support my blog, so thank you for your support! Read my full disclosure here.
I received a copy of “The Enneagram for Teens” at no charge in exchange for providing a review and social media posts about it. All opinions, however, are completely my own and not influenced by the free copy.
Learning about enneagrams
I wasn’t completely unfamiliar with enneagrams, but I didn’t know a huge amount about them either. I still am no expert by any means.
But, as I sat down to preview “The Enneagram for Teens” before showing it to my daughter, I got sucked into the introduction and explanation of enneagrams.
Basically, enneagrams are a tool to help you understand yourself better. They go into your motivations, fears, strengths and weaknesses.
In this particular book, they also relate to your faith and how you connect with God.
What I really appreciated is how conversationally and clearly Britain communicated this message. The book may be written for teens, but this 40-something mama sure learned a lot and appreciated it!
Figuring out your enneagram
There are nine different categories or types of enneagram that are each numbered:
The Moral Compass
The Helper
The Heroic Leader
The Unique Creative
The Deep Thinker
The Loyalist
The Adventurer
The Challenger
The Gentle Peacemaker
So the biggest question is which enneagram type you are. My personality is such that I like concise answers when I can get them. I wanted a quiz to tell me my enneagram type.
I headed to Britain’s website to check out the enneagram resources she offers to determine your type. Two charts of simple decisions allow you to narrow down your type.
I had trouble deciding on my answers and whether they were accurate. (I’d guess this is probably a pretty common issue for my enneagram type, even though the book doesn’t actually say so.)
Each chart gave me a different enneagram number: 5 and 9. Britain recommended reading through the chapters about each type in her book and deciding which resounded with you more.
However, I really wanted to be sure. Was I a 5 or a 9? I found a free online enneagram quiz to tell me my type.
It told me I was a 5. With two 5s and only one 9, I figured I’d start with the type 5 chapter. The description and first couple of pages seemed familiar.
I stopped a couple of pages in to see what type 9 had to say. I was blown away and read the entire chapter for type 9s.
It described me eerily well. I got choked up a few times in recognizing myself on the pages.
The type breakdown
The real treasure of this book is in the enneagram chapters. The things I’ve read other places about enneagrams have been a bit more text-bookish.
The chapters begin with examples of two different people of that enneagram type and how they might behave in certain situations. Then Britain outlines exactly what makes up that enneagram type, including what they’re known for, their deepest fear, messages real or perceived learned in childhood and their core desire.
Next she dives into what a healthy, average and unhealthy people of that type look like.
Understanding these different behaviors we have a tendency toward helps us work on self-improvement. We all experience each degree at different times in our life from unhealthy to average to healthy.
Britain goes into some more helpful details and then has a section for each enneagram type about how to get along with them.
This is the meat for us as parents. If you can identify your child’s enneagram type, this book gives you a general outline for how to best communicate with them and meet their needs. Light bulb moment!
Each type also includes ideas of careers that work well and ones that don’t, what it’s like being in love as that type and how they interact with family and friends. Again, these are important to understand about ourselves and our children.
What I love about this book is each type also has a section regarding faith and the things each type might struggle with in their faith walk along with suggestions on how to overcome those struggles.
The chapters each end with advice for that enneagram type, including a letter and a challenge.
The letter
I don’t want to gloss over the letter for each type. It’s only a few paragraphs long, but it gets to the heart of the matter for each type of enneagram.
Based on the letter to type 9s I read, I can only assume the rest are just as touching and poignant for their types. I felt seen, heard and understood.
I say that as an adult. I love the chance for my kiddos to get that feeling as well!
How to use “The Enneagram for Teens” as a parent
Honestly, I loved this book for myself. However, reading it as a parent makes me appreciate it all the more.
I know my daughter’s enneagram type, because she told me. I read through the whole chapter about type 2s and learned a lot.
Since each enneagram type chapter starts with a list of 10 characteristics for that type, I think I would have sorted out her type without her telling me.
While I will let my daughter have this book to read through on her own and relate to her own type as well as maybe her friends or family, I am thankful for it as a mama.
I was able to find new ways to relate to my kiddo. One of my goals as a mom is to meet all of my children’s needs — emotionally and physically.
My sensitive self and I are pretty good at sensing their emotional needs; I’ve learned when they need grace more than discipline, for instance.
Yet, I want to make sure I’m truly speaking their love language and helping them grow into strong and healthy versions of the unique people God has made them.
Surprisingly helpful
If I’m being completely open, I’ll also tell you I figured this book would be OK and maybe helpful a bit. I wasn’t overly confident about its helpfulness and perhaps a bit skeptic.
But just perusing the pages and getting sucked in as easily as I did, I was pleasantly surprised. It is definitely a more helpful parenting tool than I expected it to be.
I recently had a conversation with a loved one about anxiety and faith. We talked about whether someone can have anxiety as a Christian.
What does that look like? What does that say about our faith?
We weren’t the first people to discuss this, and I know we surely won’t be the last. But, it did get me thinking about a message many Christians need to hear:
You aren’t alone in your anxiety. Feelings of anxiety don’t mean you love Jesus Christ any less.
If you’ve been in church for any amount of time, I’m sure you’ve heard sermons and lessons on how worrying is a sin. Being anxious is a sin. Persistent anxiety means we have a lack of faith in our Heavenly Father.
I know what God’s Word says about anxiety, but I also know that it remains a struggle for so many of us.
So, can you be a Christian and have anxious thoughts at the same time? The short answer is absolutely!
But I think we need to go a bit deeper. I don’t have all the answers or any sort of theological degree. I can only share my experiences, struggles and feelings with anxiety as a Christian.
The physical component of anxiety
Having some anxiety is normal and helpful. It’s helped keep humans alive for so many years because we respond to danger and take less risk.
However, some of us get stuck in that mode even when no threat is apparent. That’s when we shift to an anxiety disorder.
Like other mental health struggles, anxiety often needs more intervention than just trite advice. And anxiety disorders are rampant.
Statistically speaking, about 30% of adults are dealing with an anxiety disorder at any given time. That’s up nearly 10% from 20 years ago.
Statistics on how the Christian population compares to the general population in regards to anxiety disorders isn’t available.
But, let’s say the Christian population does have less anxiety, we’re still talking about a minimum of 20% of adults.
Meaning if you are at a church with 300 attendees on a Sunday morning, then 60 people around you are dealing with an anxiety disorder.
So, quite literally, all congregations have members dealing with anxiety disorders.
However, we also must remember the physical component to anxiety. Certain medical conditions can cause anxiety, including diabetes, chronic pain, heart disease and thyroid problems.
Outside of other health conditions, anxiety can come from a chemical imbalance in our brains, traumatic events, ongoing stress or being genetically predisposed. None of those things can be controlled.
I also want to acknowledge the God’s power of healing here. I have seen Him do miraculous things and heal people. My firm belief is we can pray for and receive healing from anxiety.
However, I also know God’s will isn’t always healing on earth. God isn’t any less faithful for not healing someone of anxiety. And it doesn’t reflect his or her faith in any way.
A few years ago, my husband and I were discussing a difficult situation that worried us. My husband is incredibly great at compartmentalizing. He also does well with leaving his worries with God.
We were talking about how we handled our worry differently. He mentioned that he trusted God would take care of the situation. I realized I didn’t completely believe that.
Let me explain. I prayed about the same situation and knew that God would work in and through it. However, I didn’t believe it would necessarily work out positively.
My husband’s faith was in God’s work to resolve the problem. My faith was that no matter what happened with the outcome, Christ Jesus would be with me and give me the peace of God.
Neither of us were wrong, but my approach certainly leaves room for anxiety.
I like to think I was just being realistic and not thinking negative thoughts. But, I think more than anything, my perspective came from my anxiety struggles.
While my husband could list off all the things that could go wrong, he was able to not fret about them because they hadn’t happened (and might never happen).
On the other hand, my mind can get an a runaway anxiety train thinking of all the possible outcomes while still trusting God won’t leave me.
Logically, I know God is in control, but anxiety isn’t logical. One of my worst times of much anxiety was right around when my oldest daughter was born.
We went on vacation and took her with us onto a large dock with a floating restaurant. I was nearly paralyzed with anxiety because I could just see her stroller going off the dock and into the lake.
In my head, that’d just be it. She’d drown.
In reality, we had her nowhere near the edge. And had the stroller somehow gone in, my husband or I would have been in the water right afterward to get her to safety.
But reality doesn’t often factor into anxiety issues.
Moving forward in faith with anxiety
Since anxiety disorders are like any other physical or mental illness, if we aren’t healed of them, then we need to figure out how to manage them and move forward in spite of them. We can move forward in both practical and spiritual ways.
1. Pray.
Everything should start with prayer, even managing anxiety as a Christian. You can definitely pray for healing (and I encourage you to), but you can also pray for God’s help handling your anxiety.
I do this quite often. I ask God to help me stop thinking about something I’m dwelling on. Or I pray that He helps me to know if a worry is something I need to act on or just have peace about.
For example, when it’s the middle of the night and I hear a slight noise that gets my mind reeling with all the bad things it could be.
We have Biblical instruction for doing this very thing, and what I love most is that God promises us peace. While I’ve had my fair share of anxious moments that increase my heart rate, I have also felt the peace and presence of God come over and still me in the midst of it.
Related Bible verse:
“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.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
2. Find a Bible verse to comfort you.
The Bible has so many verses about the peace and comfort of God. It reminds us of His presence in our lives.
Find a verse that speaks to and calms your heart. (If you don’t have one, ask God to help you find one.) Memorize it and repeat it as often as needed in everyday life.
For me, that verse is Isaiah 41:10 (see below). I learned the first part of it in third grade and it has stuck with me. I’ve repeated it to myself so many times through the years in different situations and at different times.
I’ve used the second part of the verse as a breath prayer. God’s Word is powerful. It truly can cast out fear!
Related Bible verse:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
3. Listen to encouraging music.
Music can minister to us in so many ways. God has spoken to me so many times through songs, even songs I’ve heard and sung for years. Christian music is a part of my life.
While it can encourage and uplift me, it also stays in my head. Sometimes a song stuck in my head is just what I need to hear at just the right moment. My anxiety and faith battle in song lyrics!
Recently, I was having a difficult time and kept thinking, “I’ve never felt more alone than I do right now.”
Every single time I thought that, “Jireh” from Elevation Worship and Maverick City popped into my head with, “I’ve never been more loved than I am right now.”
It helped me turn my focus around to God’s love and the truth, which I definitely needed to do.
Related Bible verse:
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
Colossians 3:16 (NIV)
4. Monitor what you watch.
I’ve learned to be careful what I watch. Watching TV news only increases my anxiety. It’s so negative and so dismal. It can add a variety of thoughts to my head that I don’t need.
But so can fictional television shows and movies. I’m a sensitive person and always have been.
I remember watching a scary movie in fourth grade at a slumber party and can still recall scenes from that movie to this day.
I am not into the murder shows, police shows, medical dramas and so many other things because they only increase my anxiety.
Another one of the biggest issues that many of us face are navigating social media. Seeing only the best parts of others’ lives increase our anxiety symptoms and stress.
The best thing I’ve found to have less anxiety from social media is taking a break from it when I’m struggling most. Or if I start scrolling and find myself getting upset, then I close the app and move on to something else.
Unsurprisingly, the truth of God in the Bible talks about this very thing. The Apostle Paul admonishes us to be careful what we watch for a reason!
Related Bible verse:
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
5. Think through worst-case scenarios.
This one totally sounds counterintuitive. I sometimes get easily sidetracked and anxious thinking of all the worst-case scenarios.
But, years ago my husband challenged me to think of the worst-case scenario of my worries. Then, he said, come up with the solution.
Often that helps ease my anxiety because I have a plan. And I love having a plan!
If I come up with the worst-case scenario (and my brain is good at that), I think of what would happen if that scenario came to pass.
This works also because it makes me start thinking more practically and realistically – the opposite of how anxiety makes me think.
Related Bible verse:
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?”
Luke 14:28 (NIV)
6. Talk about it.
Persistent anxiety is good at lying to us. It can make problems seem so much bigger than they are and increase the feeling of worry for no good reason.
When I have trouble dealing with something or moving on from it, it helps to talk about it with someone I trust.
For me, that’s my husband. Often just saying the words out loud help my anxiety and faith meet as I realize what I’m worried about isn’t such a big deal.
We weren’t made to bear our burdens alone. Along with being able to go to God, we also need to have people who we can turn to and trust when our burdens weigh us down.
Saying a worry out loud to good Christian friends or loved ones is a powerful tool that removes at least some of anxiety’s power.
Related Bible verse:
“If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
Ecclesiastes 4:10a (NIV)
7. Distract yourself.
I’m not advocating for denial here, but distracting yourself from your thoughts is a good way to help in the midst of the struggles with anxiety as a Christian. Find healthy ways to distract yourself or ground yourself in the moment.
I have a coloring app on my phone that I find soothing and often use to unwind and relax.
I’ve also tried some mindfulness and grounding techniques when my anxiety starts to get away from me. For me, this is just stopping my thoughts and shifting my focus to what I can see, feel and hear.
Sometimes what we need most is just a break from our anxious thoughts.
Related Bible verse:
“A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God.”
Ecclesiastes 2:24 (NIV)
8. Believe you CAN improve.
A major lie anxiety likes to tell us is that we will always feel this way — or at least feel this way for a long time. We don’t have hope for the future and have no reason to try and do better.
I’ve been down that path both with anxiety and my other health issues; I get it. I still have days where I think this is the best it gets.
But I am continuing to learn that a bad day, week or even month doesn’t mean it will always be bad.
The first step toward making progress is allowing yourself to believe –truly believe– that you can improve. And then you must remind yourself that you are worth the work.
I’ve learned I need to embrace these two concepts when I get stuck and need to move forward. I’m thankful for my husband who also gently pushes me to not just accept “this is how things are.”
Even if your anxiety isn’t healed or isn’t just a phase, you can always learn new ways to help manage it. Try new and different ways to manage your symptoms.
Don’t stop trying. Let me reassure you that God made you. You are worthwhile.
The good news is He doesn’t make junk, my friend.
You are worth the effort needed to improve. Tiny baby steps forward are still steps forward. God has plans to give you a future and a hope!
Related Bible verse:
“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
9. Get professional help.
A negative way anxiety and faith can overlap is by trying to convince you that since you have faith you don’t need help. Go back and read the section about the physical component of anxiety.
You can try helping yourself. Sometimes that works! But, sometimes it doesn’t because you need more help than you can give yourself.
Think of it like treating yourself when you’re sick. When you first start feeling a scratchy throat, you might drink more liquids and go to bed early.
However, if you wake up the next day with a swollen throat and a fever, you know you need to see your doctor and be checked for strep throat.
Treat your anxiety the same way. Try things to help yourself, but if it stays the same or gets worse, seek help.
You can start seeking professional help with your family doctor who can suggest mental health professionals in your areas. Consider cognitive behavioral therapy.
Be able to talking about anti-anxiety medication.
There is no shame in seeking help from a medical professional or counselor. God has given us knowledge and resources. We should not be ashamed to use those resources!
Related Bible verse:
“Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance.”
Proverbs 20:18 (NIV)
(Additional note: I left in this entire verse, because we are waging a war on anxiety. It applies!)
10. Focus on who God Is.
When we’re dealing with anxiety, we can feel like everything is shifting. Everything is murky, and nothing makes sense.
That’s all the more reason to focus on who God is. He is unchanging, faithful and true. That’s incredibly comforting with or without anxiety.
I remember distinctly a Sunday morning during a really bad time in my life. I’m not sure what the sermon was about that morning.
I was too distracted first by my worries but then by the cross at the front of the sanctuary. God’s Holy Spirit spoke into my heart and reminded me the God loves me and sent His Son to die for me.
When you aren’t able to cling to anything else, you can cling to God’s love. Shift your focus onto who He is and allow God’s presence and comfort to flow into you.
Related Bible verses:
“As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.”
Psalm 18:30 (NIV)
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.”
Encouragement for Christian moms to speak up for their kids
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.”
Proverbs 31:8 (NIV)
When my daughter (my oldest) was a newborn, I felt in my gut that something was wrong with her. She would cry and curl into herself like her stomach hurt.
As an exhausted and desperate new mom, I called the pediatrician to get in. Her usual doctor was out, so we saw a different doctor. I explained what was going on and how it seemed like her stomach hurt.
The pediatrician looked at my husband and me and told us that babies can’t talk so we don’t really know when or if they experience pain. We were flabbergasted. Of course, we know based on how they react!
It was preposterous to us and also beyond frustrating. Fortunately, my husband figured out that our daughter was having trouble sucking and we were able to learn how best to feed her. Her usual pediatrician returned and soon she was well fed and happy.
We spoke up for her when she couldn’t speak for herself. That’s our job as parents. Even once our children are old enough to use words and communicate all sorts of messages, we are still their biggest and best advocate.
Sure, they need to learn to speak up for themselves and have a chance to do so, but they are also learning and growing. It’s OK to be the squeaky wheel when you need to be in order to get your children help.
That day in the doctor’s office with our daughter was only the first of many, many times we’ve advocated for our children. One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is to let them know we are with them, on their side and fighting for them.
Prayer:
God, thank you for always being on my side and fighting for me, even when I don’t see it. Give me wisdom and strength for how to best advocate for my children who you’ve blessed me with. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Encouragement for Christian moms to live in the joy and strength of faith
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.”
Psalm 68:19 (NIV)
Some seasons of life are just hard. I’ve heard one definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
I’ve had seasons where that felt too close to home for me. Life can be tedious. Motherhood can be tedious.
I start the mornings with the best of intentions. Yet, some days – especially in hard seasons – those intentions get away from me. I start dwelling on all the hard stuff.
Just when I’m ready to throw in the towel and give up, God pokes my heart with reminders of His presence. He fills me with His strength when I so desperately need it.
Because while I may lay my burdens at His feet when I pray in the mornings, I often start picking them back up as I go throughout the day. I guess I think that God needs my help carrying them – as if He isn’t strong enough.
When I think of it in those terms, I laugh at myself. I’m not a strong person. I’d never win a weight-lifting challenge. Who am I to think the God of the universe needs my help to carry anything?!
Today, I will rest in the reminder that He is strong enough to bear our burdens daily, and we can let them go. We don’t have to carry them around with us.
Prayer:
Dear God, help me to truly lay my burdens at your feet and leave them there. I praise you for your strength, faithfulness and love for me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Encouragement for Christian moms to teach their kids about who God is
We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.
Psalm 78:4 (NIV)
Throughout my decades as a Christian, I have been encouraged time and again by stories of God’s faithfulness in the lives of others. In fact, seeing God work in the lives of those around me helps me to keep my heart and eyes open to seeing more of Him at work in my own life.
Of all the things I want to teach my kids, I want most to teach them to rely fully on God. We started reading the Bible to them and praying with them when they were still babies.
Many of us come up with habits of faith to encourage our children and help them grow in their walk with God. But it can be easy to forget to share with them the things God has done in our lives – both in the past and the present.
One of the greatest testimonies we can share with our children is our experiences with God in real life. Not only does this demonstrate God in action in daily life, but it also helps them to be more open to seeing God at work in our lives.
Prayer:
God, give me the right words to say to my children to tell of your goodness and how you have worked in my own life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A few months ago, I was making dinner for our church youth group and trying to come up with an easy side that didn’t need to be served hot. I decided to put together an easy pasta salad recipe, and it was a hit.
In fact, my daughter reported that numerous youth group attendees asked her for the recipe. She and I giggled because this pasta salad recipe is so incredibly easy.
Sometimes we make it just to eat on throughout the week, but it also works well as a side for carry-ins, feeding a crowd or on holidays.
A huge bonus is that it’s easy to make ahead of time, and the flavors blend together better when you do so as well.
The pasta for the pasta salad
I use garden rotini pasta for making the pasta salad because it’s colorful and looks pretty. It’s the traditional pasta salad pasta.
However, you can use whatever type of pasta you want or have in your pantry. Boil it on the stove according to the box directions.
Strain it in a colander and run cold water over it to cool it down.
The veggies for the easy pasta salad
Set aside the pasta to continue cooling (I usually just leave mine in the sink), and prepare your veggies.
This is where you can get creative and/or use what you have on hand. Here is what I usually use per box of pasta:
2-3 diced Roma tomatoes (any tomato works)
1/2 cup diced onion (yellow or red)
1 medium diced red bell pepper (orange or yellow also work)
1 medium chopped zucchini
For the zucchini, I cut it in quarters and then chop from there.
The final touches
I toss the veggies into a large bowl and then add in 3/4 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese. You can also use grated Parmesan cheese.
Add the pasta and then pour 1 cup of Italian dressing over the top. Mix it together well.
Let the pasta salad chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. If needed (or desired), add 1/2 cup of additional Italian dressing and stir in before serving.
You can easily double this recipe to serve a larger crowd. As is, the pasta salad as a side serves about 15 people.
Easy pasta salad
A simple, easy pasta salad recipe that will easily feed a crowd
One of my favorite, super easy slow cooker recipes to feed a crowd is hot dogs. It’s a simple way to put together a quick meal that will feed lots of folks.
I’ve used this for our church youth group and our church small group so far. It would also be a great option for birthday parties and picnic holidays.
And it’s so incredibly simple that I almost feel silly for making a whole post about it! Two steps is all it takes!
Dump the hot dogs you prefer into your slow cooker.
Set the temperature to low for four hours or high for two hours.
That’s it! Throughout the cooking time, move them around a little a time or two.
And then just serve them up with buns, your favorite toppings and easy sides like chips, simple pasta salad and cookies.
A couple of sidenotes to avoid confusion:
Don’t add water to the slow cooker. It’s not needed.
You can stack the hot dogs vertically or just plop them in horizontally. I’ve done both. If you have more to cook, then vertically probably fits more, but it’s also easier for one end of the hot dogs to get darker that way.
Making hot dogs in your slow cooker is way easier than you’d ever guess!
When you’re short on time
Any food made in the slow cooker requires a bit of planning ahead, because it takes a while. But what about when you’re short on time and need to get a slew of hot dogs made stat?
Make them in your oven! It’s even easier than on the grill. Find all the details here:
Don’t miss these other great, easy recipes as well!
Prayers to help your mama heart find peace (FREE Download!)
Being a mom is so incredibly awesome, but it’s also draining and hard. And sometimes we are just plain overwhelmed.
Currently I wish I had one more day each week and a couple of extra hours each day. Then maybe I could get closer to conquering everything I have to do. Know the feeling?
It’s easy to get weary and overwhelmed when we are looking out for the needs of our families. On the days when I feel like there’s nothing left for or of myself, I struggle sometimes to even know what to pray beyond help!
I know God hears and understands our prayers, no matter how long or short they are. The Bible also tells us in Romans 8:26-27 that the Holy Spirit brings our needs to God when we can’t.
However, I also know the power of prayer and how praying based on Scripture can help me refocus on God to get peace and strength from Him when I need it most.
These seven Scripture-based prayers for overwhelmed moms are perfect for those days and times when you don’t have the words on your own.
Find a free PDF download of all the verses and prayers near the end of the post!
A prayer for rest
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
When we are tired and worn out, it’s even easier to be overwhelmed. God promises us that if we come to Him, He will give us rest.
It may not necessarily be the extra hours of sleep we crave, but spiritual rest can rejuvenate and sustain us.
Dear Lord, I come to You today feeling weary and burdened. Please grant me Your rest and peace. Help me to lay my worries at Your feet and find comfort in Your presence. Give me the strength to face each day with renewed energy and hope. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A prayer for peace of mind
“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.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Having peace of mind is often hard in life. As Christian moms, we have so many thoughts in our head at the same time — and that’s guaranteed to be overwhelming.
These verses remind us to turn to God with our anxieties and let His peace fill us in ways beyond our understanding.
Lord, You know the anxieties that weigh on my heart. I lift them up to You now, asking for Your peace to fill my mind and soul. Help me to trust in Your plan and to feel Your calming presence surrounding me. Guard my heart and mind with Your peace that surpasses all understanding. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A prayer for renewed strength
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:29-31 (NIV)
I love this verse and the reminder that we all get tired and weary. I have gotten upset with myself in the past for being tired or weary. It almost seems like a sin.
Yet, we are all human. In our humanity, we only have to much strength. And the truth is life and motherhood often drain us.
Father, I feel so weak and exhausted. Please renew my strength and give me the power to keep going. Help me to place my hope in You and to trust that You will lift me up. Let me soar on wings like eagles and find the endurance I need to run and not grow weary. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A prayer for courage
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,”
Psalm 46:1-2 (NIV)
I’ve seen a quote before along the lines of courage is that small voice saying, “I’ll try again tomorrow.” That resonates with me, especially on the rough days when I am depleted.
Knowing God is there to shelter us and hold us close gives us courage to keep going and keep trying. When I trust in Him fully, my fear begins to dissipate and my strength begins to grow.
God, You are my refuge and strength. When I feel overwhelmed by life’s troubles, help me to remember that You are always with me. Give me the courage to face my fears and the strength to stand firm in Your love. Thank You for being my constant help and source of strength. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A prayer for embracing weakness
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)
I don’t want to be thought of as weak. Physically weak, I’m OK with, but spiritually or mentally weak is not OK. Yet, I am not always strong.
Coming to God with our weaknesses allows us to draw from His strength. Time and again when I thought I couldn’t keep going, He has given me the strength to go on.
Whether it was from sheer physical exhaustion of having a newborn or overwhelming heartache making the daily work of life challenging, God truly has been strong in my weakness.
Lord, I admit that I am weak and in need of Your strength. Thank You for Your grace that is sufficient for me. Help me to embrace my weaknesses, knowing that Your power is made perfect in them. Let Christ’s power rest on me and give me the strength to endure hardships with joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A prayer for sustenance
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
Psalm 55:22 (NIV)
Life shakes us sometimes. We get curveballs we didn’t see coming in parenthood. But this verse reminds us that God is always faithful, even on shaky ground.
God is there to help us carry our burdens from figuring out why a newborn isn’t getting the nutrition she needs to sorting out help when a school-aged child is struggling with reading.
Dear Lord, I cast all my cares and burdens onto You. Sustain me with Your love and strength. Remind me that You will never let me be shaken, no matter how heavy my load feels. Help me to trust in Your sustaining power and to find peace in Your promises. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A prayer for God’s presence
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
I feel like this verse often comes up when people are embarking on new challenges from moving to starting a new job. Yet, it applies in everyday life for us Christian moms.
God’s presence gives us strength and courage. He keeps us from being discouraged.
I struggle with discouragement and feeling like I’m not good enough as a mom. When I’m overwhelmed, I especially need this reminder that God is there to strengthen me and will not leave me.
Lord, I often feel afraid and discouraged. Remind me of Your command to be strong and courageous. Help me to feel Your presence with me wherever I go. Give me the courage to face my challenges head-on, knowing that You are by my side, guiding and strengthening me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Download all of the verses and prayers for free here:
5 Easy dessert recipes that won’t heat up your kitchen!
I love baking. Baking was my first foray into cooking back in high school. But when the weather’s hot, I don’t want to turn on the oven — even in a house with central air conditioning!
I’m excited to share some of my favorite easy summer dessert recipes that don’t require the oven or stovetop. These are easy-peasy recipes even your kiddos can make if they want. (I know this, because mine have!)
Whipped pudding pie
This 4-ingredient whipped pudding pie recipe is one of the most loved recipes I’ve ever shared. It’s easy and versatile. You can use almost any flavor and even make it sugar free.
You don’t have to even use your microwave for this one, especially if you use a store-bought graham cracker crust like I do. If you want to make your own graham cracker crust, then you’ll need to melt some butter to help hold together your graham cracker crumbs.
Otherwise, all you need is an instant pudding mix, milk and an 8-ounce tub of whipped topping. You do need to plan ahead a bit because this easy whipped pudding pie recipe needs about an hour to chill in the fridge.
Find all the details here:
Edible chocolate chip cookie dough
Another family favorite is this edible chocolate chip cookie dough recipe. You’ll need the microwave for this one to heat-treat the flour and maybe soften the butter, but that’s it!
This simple recipe comes together quickly and really does taste like chocolate chip cookie dough. Since it doesn’t have any eggs in it, you can nosh without worry!
We literally just eat the edible chocolate chip cookie dough by the spoonful in my family. You could also add it into ice cream or milkshakes you make at home.
This decadent dessert uses ingredients you probably already have on hand: flour, brown sugar, butter, vanilla extract, milk, salt and semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Find all the details here:
Oreo ice cream cake
Ice cream is the perfect summer treat and this Oreo ice cream cake is a long-standing family favorite. I’ve been eating it since I was a child!
Through the years, my mom has gotten this recipe down to an art and nowadays only needs four ingredients to make it happen. Ice cream, Oreos, hot fudge sauce and whipped cream come together in a flavor explosion.
I am totally partial to this easy summer dessert recipe because I love, love, love it! The only heat required is the microwave to heat up the fudge sauce warm enough to be pourable.
This one takes some time because you have to let the ice cream soften and firm a few times, but it’s so easy — and yummy — that you won’t mind.
Find all the details on how to make this 9×13-inch Oreo ice cream cake here:
Puppy chow
Whether you call it puppy chow or muddy buddies, the combination of peanut butter and chocolate on crisp rice cereal is so delicious!
I went through a phase of obsession with puppy chow and got the recipe down to an art. Using rice cereal instead of corn, adding a bit of vanilla extract and using Skippy peanut butter are my top tips.
Puppy chow is a great easy summer recipe because you only need to use the microwave to melt the chocolate chips, butter and peanut butter together. It’s a great recipe to make with your children!
Find all the details here:
Mint chocolate chip mousse
Mousse sounds like such a fancy dessert to make, but this mint chocolate chip mousse recipe is incredibly easy and only needs five ingredients!
The cool mint flavor is refreshing for summertime. And you don’t need any heat at all for making this recipe. You do need a bit of time for it to chill, though, so be prepared for that.
While I make this with mini chocolate chips, you could also used crushed chocolate cookies, another type of chocolate or no chocolate at all.
Joy isn’t something we celebrate as a culture, especially in motherhood culture. Joy seems like a nice concept, but not something to work for.
Yet God’s Word tells us that joy is a gift of the Holy Spirit. In fact, it’s one a Fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23.
While joy can be hard to find on our own, we can utilize prayers for joy based on Scripture. These seven prayers are designed specifically for Christian moms to find the gift of joy in the midst of motherhood.
What is joy?
Before we start praying for the fullness of joy, we need to understand what true joy is in the Bible. The joy of the Holy Spirit is more than just general happiness.
When we’re talking about joy as defined by God, we are talking about a different sort of joy than just general happiness. The Greek word for joy is chara, which shares the same root as the Greek word for grace.
So that means joy and grace come from the same place. God’s grace and everlasting joy go hand-in-hand.
Joy isn’t based on the things we have or can do. Instead, joy is a gift from God that we receive when we’re in relationship with Him.
Dear God, I ask that you fill me with your joy throughout every day. Help me to keep my focus on you so my attitude and spirit will remain joyful. Let my family see your joy in me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Examples of joy in the Bible
If we want to live a joyful life, we have to understand that it takes time. Just like literal fruit, the Fruits of the Spirit take time to cultivate and grow.
Back in college, I had a friend who was full of joy. She radiated it. When I was going through a time of grief after losing a loved one, I resented her joy.
In fact, I found myself thinking she didn’t understand hurt like I did or she wouldn’t be filled with so much joy.
As I got to know her better over the next couple of months, I learned that she knew hurt well. She had suffered a tremendous loss in her own life, yet she still had joy.
God opened my eyes to see that having joy in spite of grief and pain is possible because He is the source of all joy — not anything else.
There are lots of examples in the Bible of God’s people going through trials of many kinds yet living in the joy of God.
Dear Heavenly Father, Please help me to cultivate your fruits in my life. Help me to grow to be more joyful in and through you. Open my eyes today to see you at work, no matter what. In the name of Christ Jesus I pray, Amen.
Nehemiah’s joy
God tasked Nehemiah with rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. What Nehemiah was really rebuilding, though, was the culture and legacy of the Jewish people that had been destroyed.
He had all sorts of challenges and struggles in this rebuilding. Even just keeping his workers motivated and on task for such a big project was difficult. Yet, he kept his eyes on the God of hope as his source of joy.
In the 8th chapter of Nehemiah, we read about Nehemiah reading to the people from the Book of Law – their Bible. The people were weeping over its instruction and wisdom.
Nehemiah saw what was happening and said in these Bible verses from Nehemiah 8:9-10 (NIV):
Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:9-10 (NIV)
Nehemiah is reminding his people that God is their strength. They have no reason to weep.
Even in difficult circumstances, which will inevitably come, God is our strength and that fact can bring us great joy.
Dear Lord, give me joy like Nehemiah is talking about. Help me to put aside my worries and concerns and just rest in the joy of your salvation as I go throughout my day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
David’s joy
King David spends the entire book of Psalms going back and forth between despair and the wonderful joy of the Lord. He talks about stressful times and good times both.
And while he certainly had his challenges, David understood God’s steadfast love, even when he didn’t following through on doing the will of God.
In Psalm 30, we see that David was in a season of life where he’d been through hard times and gained perspective that darkness and pain don’t last forever.
For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
Psalm 30:5 (ESV)
Sometimes our joy comes just in knowing that challenges don’t last forever and eventually good things will come along as well.
Another way David reminds us to find joy is by simply looking around us. Psalm 92:4 (ESV) says that very thing:
For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
Psalm 92:4 (ESV)
God’s creation inspires Christian joy. David realized when finding joy and gladness seemed impossible, he could always find it in looking at God’s creation from nature to loved ones and more.
Dear God, open my eyes today to see all the wonderful blessings that surround me. I thank you for all of your blessings and your faithfulness. Thank you that I can have joy in you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Habakkuk’s joy
Habakkuk was living in a time when the Jewish people were being overthrown and overrun by the Babylonians. Life was miserable.
The crops and livestock were being taken away. A wicked country seemed to be winning over God’s chosen people.
Habakkuk was confused. How could God be letting something so bad happen? Where was His justice? Why wasn’t He doing something?
All three chapters of Habakkuk are his conversations with God. He poses these same questions and God responds that He knows what He is doing.
Finally, by the third chapter, Habakkuk has come to understand that he can trust God has a plan even when it doesn’t make sense. Even in the midst of suffering, he finds joy in God.
This is what he says in Habakkuk 3:18-19 (ESV):
yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.
Habakkuk 3:18-19 (ESV)
When times are hard — like they were for Habakkuk — we can find a joyful heart through the power of the Holy Spirit by remembering our salvation.
Dear Jesus, help me to rejoice in you today. I ask that you fill me with joy so that I can live a life full of hope. Let that joy and hope radiate in and through my life. In your name, Amen.
Joy in the struggle
People in the Old Testament were certainly not the only ones who had to cultivate a life with greater joy. In Romans, Paul encourages the early church to have joy because it is beneficial in other ways as well.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13 (ESV)
Joy goes hand-in-hand with hope. In the struggle of life, we need hope. It helps us to stay motivated and keep going.
A life without hope is a dismal one indeed. By having peace and joy in believing in God, we will be filled to overflowing with hope.
James goes even further to tell us to be joyful about trials in James 1:2-4 (NIV):
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4 (NIV)
Finding joy in facing trials sounds impossible and downright ridiculous. But that is what James is telling us to do, because facing trials increases our perseverance and ability to keep going so that we fully mature and can do the work God has for us to do.
So there is joy to be found even in the hard stuff.
Heavenly Father, I ask that you help me to remember who you are so that I can have joy and hope in you even when life is chaotic and hard. Lord, I know I don’t have to rejoice about the struggle, but help me to rejoice in you in spite of the struggle. Let me be an example to my family and those around me. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Practical ways to find joy
Along with powerful prayers asking for God to give us more joy, some other steps can encourage us to live with more of God’s joy in our own lives. The best news is that none of them take a tremendous amount of time.
Remember Jesus.
The first thing we can do is remember Jesus. This sounds trite, but hear me out.
During one of the most difficult times of my life, I sat in church overwhelmed and at a loss. Nothing made sense and I couldn’t even bring myself to sing the worship songs.
My mind was racing so much that I wasn’t able to focus on the preaching. I was crying out to God for help and then I noticed the cross sitting on the platform.
God poked my heart. Did I believe that He sent His Son to die for my sins? My answer was yes.
Then nothing else truly mattered. He was still the same in the midst of my hurt and despair. I just needed to remember Jesus.
In fact, the shepherds heard the same message from the angel on the night Jesus was born. The angel declared the good news that “great joy” had come into the world.
Jesus is and can be our joy all the time. When we are struggling to find anything joyful, we can remember the love of Jesus and rejoice in that.
Stay connected to God.
If God is the source of our joy, then we need to stay connected to Him. One important way to do that is by finding a group of fellow believers to connect and worship with.
The best explanation for why we should go to church came from a preacher I heard decades ago. He said that he’d been married for many years. His wife did all the cooking.
He couldn’t begin to list what he’d had for dinner every night of his marriage, but he knew he was fed.
Church is the same way. I can’t begin to list every sermon or Bible study lesson I’ve been a part of. But they have all fed me spiritually.
We need that connection to God to remain in Him and receive His joy.
Look to the future.
As a mom, I can find joy in the tediousness of motherhood by knowing one day it will pay off.
When I was potty training my children – a task I completely loathed – I continued to do so with the hope and joy of knowing one day they would no longer need diapers.
Each phase brings its own challenges and thoughts of future rewards.
Sometimes when we are lacking in joy, we need to take a moment and look to the future. We know that joy is coming.
In the middle of the struggle, take a moment to close your eyes and just imagine the perfection of heaven and being in the presence of God.
Imagine Jesus pulling you in for a tight, warm, comforting hug. That is joy.
Dear God, show me the practical ways I can live my life to have more joy in it. Help me to form the right connections I need to find encouragement on this journey so I can be joyful. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A final prayer for joy
Dear God, I thank you for all the gifts you’ve given me. Father, I thank you that you give me joy in this life no matter what happens. You are faithful and good. You have created so incredibly many good things that bless us and can bring us joy. Thank you for those blessings.
Lord, I ask that you fill me with joy. Remind me of who you are when I start to get sidetracked. Help me to keep my focus on you so that I can have joy in my heart every day.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Joy doesn’t mean life is perfect. Instead, it means that you serve a God who is. And that is something to celebrate daily!
Want to learn more about the Fruit of the Spirit? Be sure to check out these numerous resources!
