Powerful Scriptures for the overwhelmed mom
Recently I asked a group of mamas what topic they’d most like to study and the resounding answer was stress management. We mamas are stressed!
And I relate. In this season of life, I’m trying to figure out balancing all the things from homework to practices to work to laundry to grocery shopping and on the long to-do list goes!
Unsurprisingly, I was very on board to do a study on stress management; I’ll be the first to raise my hand and admit I’m a struggling mom.
So, I’m doing a couple of things. First, I’m listing the very best Bible verses for stress. These are five of my favorite Bible verses to cling to on the rough days.
Next, I’ve created a free one-month Bible study called “Grace-Filled Stress Relief” that is about stress management for moms. It includes devotionals, a reading plan, prayer topics, helpful action items, reflection questions and weekly videos.
Because, whether you’re a new mom, a seasoned mom or somewhere in the middle, the motherhood journey is awesome and stressful all at once. Having the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit to cling to are essential to surviving the tough days.
The very best Bible verses on stress for moms
Let’s start with seeing what God’s Word has for us. Christian mom, take a deep breath and relax for a moment to read these encouraging Bible verses to help you feel the peace of God.
Philippians 4:6-7
“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.”
I’ve heard this verse so many times — and I’m guessing you have, too. Usually I focus on the first part of the verse about not being anxious in anything. That’s often what gets the most attention in this verse.
But more recently, the part that stuck out to me was “with thanksgiving.” We are to pray and ask God with thanksgiving.
Sometimes that can be a struggle, because I don’t always feel so thankful when I’m asking God for help. This is even more true in situations that make me feel anxious (and there are plenty of them!).
Getting in the habit of having an attitude of gratitude can help us even in our prayer life as we ask for help with thanksgiving for the help He has already given and continues to give.
Psalm 55:22
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
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.
Our God of hope is there to help us carry our burdens in tough times 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.
God is always faithful, even in the midst of hard times — and even under the weight of motherhood.
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.”
Christ Jesus uses these words to remind us that through our Heavenly Father, we are able to have peace beyond what is possible in the world.
Even when we are in stressful situations and dealing with a worried heart, Jesus gives us peace and a reminder that He is on the throne and in control.
God’s peace can soothe any anxious heart. I’ve had times in the challenges of motherhood and in other life when peace didn’t make any sense, yet God gave it to me in the midst of chaos.
Psalm 46:10
“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’”
When it comes to Bible verses about leaning on God, this is one of my favorites. I have trouble with being still in my head. I can easily get carried away, ruminate and stress out.
But this verse reminds me that I can just be still, rest and trust in God. Sometimes repeating “Be still” in my head can help calm my anxiety as I trust in the One Who is truly in control.
Other times, I ask God for help in being still, because doing so is hard with only my own strength. I need His help to even be still in Him on hard days.
As a busy mom, we have so many worries and fears that can get carried away. We stress out wondering if we’re a good mom or whether we’re messing everything up.
Yet, God reminds us we can simply be still and trust Him completely. God doesn’t intend for us to be a stressed mom; He wants to give us peace.
1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Even if you aren’t predisposed to anxiety (as some of us are!), motherhood can certainly bring it out in you. Combine the lack of sleep and a lot of stress managing a household, and anxiety can take over.
We want so much to protect our children. We want them to be safe and secure and have all the things they need. All of that leads to worry and anxiety from the very beginning of our parenting journey.
But God didn’t create us to be filled with worry and anxiety. He knows our natural tendency to anxious thoughts, especially as mamas. So many times, He reminds us to just trust Him.
This verse from 1 Peter says it succinctly. We can turn our anxiety over to Him because He loves us, and he can give us perfect peace beyond our own understanding.
Just as we don’t want our own children to worry, God doesn’t want us to worry. We can God is taking care of us and our children. That’s something we can rest in today.
An online Bible study about stress management for moms
One of the best ways to combat stress, anxiety and the roller coaster of motherhood is to get into the Bible. But, we want to dig in deeper than just reading a verse here and there.
Reading the Bible on our own and combining it with devotional content and lessons are a great way to grow closer to God.
And having a community of mamas to talk about the stress of everyday life is important. Joining with other mamas who are striving to raise children in the Kingdom of God is vital to our own spiritual growth.
Bible study
This 30-day Bible study, “Grace-Filled Stress Relief” is all about managing stress through faith for moms and is a great place to start. I know you’re probably already an overwhelmed mother. But, you’ve come to the right place, because I’m right there with you.
So this Bible study will take just a couple of minutes a day and help you draw closer to God. Each day has one or two verses to read along with a suggested prayer topic and helpful action.
There is a weekly devotional on the week’s theme along with a corresponding video lesson. Three in-depth reflection questions every week help you delve even deeper into the topic.
The study is broken up into four topics:
- Finding balance — Encouragement and help for balancing all the roles we mamas play
- Parenting challenges — A Biblical look at navigating the tumultuous waters of parenting
- Managing home life — Ideas and encouragement for creating a peaceful home life, including with your husband
- Trusting God — Scripture to remind you that He is trustworthy and is in charge of the future so you don’t have to be
Find all the details about the study here:
A community of Christian moms
Whether you’re a first-time mom with young children, a mom navigating the teen years or a mom with adult children, join us for this monthlong study about managing stress through faith.
In the private Facebook group, Christian Moms with Grace, we’ll have weekly discussions about this Bible study together. I’ve found the best way to have time for this is often online where we can go whenever works best for us.
Each weekday in October, I’ll post a question for discussion so we can talk about our struggles together and encourage one another. I hope to see you there!
