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Families With Grace

Helping Christian moms create homes filled with grace, love & faith

A Free Advent Bible reading plan for moms this Christmas

A simple way to celebrate the birth of Christ this season

The holiday season is filled with hustle and bustle that can leave even the most organized mom feeling overwhelmed. With buying gifts, attending events, keeping up with family traditions and managing our households, we can lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas—the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

This year, I invite you to pause and reflect with an Advent Bible reading plan designed specifically for moms. This Advent reading plan is a great way to stay grounded in God’s Word throughout the month of December, focusing on the story of Jesus and His miraculous arrival.

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The plan includes daily Bible readings, reflective questions and a dedicated page for prayer requests and praises. Whether you’re doing this as part of your personal quiet time, with a small group or even as part of your family devotions, it’s a beautiful way to slow down and keep your eyes on Jesus.

What is an Advent Bible reading plan?

The season of Advent marks the weeks leading up to Christmas. It’s a time for Christians to prepare their hearts for the coming of Christ.

An Advent Bible reading plan is a structured guide to help us get into God’s word every day and focus on the story of Christ from prophecy to fulfillment.

This Advent Scripture reading plan weaves together key Old Testament prophecies, the beautiful narrative from the Gospel of Luke and New Testament reflections on the significance of Christ’s birth.

For moms, it can be particularly meaningful. In the midst of the busyness of the Christmas season, these daily readings offer a chance to connect with the Holy Spirit, reflect on God’s promises and discover fresh ways to celebrate the true reason for this season.

How the Advent reading plan works

This Advent plan is designed to be simple and flexible. Starting on December 1st, you’ll read one or two verses each day, following themes that walk through the Christmas story:

Week 1: The Promise of a Savior
Week 2: Mary’s Yes
Week 3: The Gift of Good News
Week 4: Worship and Giving
Week 5: Living the Christmas Story

Each day’s reading is short enough to fit into your busy schedule while still providing time to meditate on its meaning. Plus, you’ll find reflective questions for each week’s reading, encouraging you to go deeper and apply these truths to your life.

Why use an Advent Bible reading plan?

For many moms, the busyness of the season can overshadow the joy of preparing for Christ’s birth. This Advent Scripture reading plan is a tool to help you reclaim the peace and wonder of the Advent season. Here’s how it can bless you:

Reconnect with God’s Word

In the flurry of holiday preparations, it’s easy to let time in Scripture slip. This plan helps you stay consistent with daily scripture readings, guiding you through the birth of Christ while highlighting the beauty of God’s faithfulness.

Reflect on the true meaning of Christmas

Through Advent reflections and days of readings, you’ll be reminded of the richness of the Christmas story and God’s great love for us. This isn’t just about knowing the story of Jesus—it’s about experiencing the wonder of His arrival anew.

Strengthen family traditions

This plan isn’t just for moms! It’s a wonderful resource for family devotions, allowing you to share the story of Christ with your kids.

Consider pairing the readings with a children’s Bible or using the Advent calendar as a visual aid for younger kids.

Create space for prayer and gratitude

Alongside the Advent readings, you’ll find a printable page for recording prayer requests and praises. This is an opportunity to reflect on how God has worked in your life and to bring your cares before Him in this special season.

Get the free Advent Bible reading plan

This Advent Bible reading plan is a simple yet powerful way to stay connected to God’s Word during the Advent season. Whether you’re a mom juggling schedules or looking for a way to introduce your kids to the story of Christ, this plan offers a thoughtful approach to the busyness of the Christmas season.

Ideas for Using the Advent Reading Plan as a Family

  1. Incorporate it into your nightly routine: Gather as a family each evening to read the day’s Scripture. Pair it with lighting a candle on your Advent wreath or sharing something you’re grateful for that day.
  2. Use it with a children’s Bible: For younger kids, read the verses from a children’s Bible with illustrations. This helps bring the story of Christ to life in a way that’s easy for them to understand.
  3. Tie it to your Advent calendar: If you use an Advent calendar, pair each day’s treat or activity with the corresponding daily scripture reading to reinforce the true meaning of Christmas.
  4. Create a prayer chain: Write prayer requests or praises on paper strips each day after reading the Scripture. Link them together to form a chain that grows throughout the month. On Christmas morning, review your chain and thank God for His faithfulness.
  5. Make it interactive: After each day’s reading, invite your kids to draw or color something inspired by the verse. For example, they could draw angels after reading about the shepherds or a star for the Wise Men.
  6. Start a family journal: Use a notebook to jot down a quick reflection each day as a family. Answer questions like, “What did we learn about Jesus today?” or “How can we live out today’s verse?”
  7. Tie it to family traditions: Incorporate the readings into established traditions. For instance, share the Scriptures while decorating the tree, setting up a nativity scene, or baking Christmas cookies.
  8. Share the plan with others: Invite extended family or friends to join you in the Advent Bible readings. You could even set up a group chat to share reflections, prayer requests or praises throughout the month.
  9. Bring it into Sunday dinner: If your family gathers weekly for dinner, take a few minutes to review the week’s verses and discuss what stood out to each person.
  10. Celebrate milestones: As you move through the season of Advent, celebrate milestones like Mary’s “yes” or the shepherds hearing the good news. Use these moments to discuss how they connect to the way we live out our faith today.

A Great Way to Celebrate the Birth of Jesus

This Advent reading plan is more than just daily scripture readings; it’s an opportunity to slow down, connect with your family and focus on the true reason for the season.

Whether you’re reading on your own, leading your kids through the verses, or sharing them with friends, it’s a beautiful way to prepare your heart for Christmas.

Download your free Advent Bible reading plan today, and let this holiday season be a time to celebrate the birth of Christ with purpose, joy and peace!

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Don’t miss this post with free Advent printables for children:

8 Simple Christmas traditions to bring your family closer (plus 2 FREE printables)

And don’t miss these 5-minute Christmas family devotion books as well!

Best 5-Minute Advent Devotionals for Families image

From potty training to college: Trusting God’s strength for moms

Trusting in God’s unfailing presence through the ups and downs of motherhood

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1 (NIV)

Knowing that God is there for us and will strengthen us whenever we face trouble is incredibly comforting and encouraging. Even better is that He is there to help us no matter the trouble from struggles with potty training to sending your kiddo off to college.

I love picturing an image of God holding me in his arms when I’m weary and overwhelmed. I imagine being surrounded by God’s love and filled with his strength. 

This verse reminds me of that. Even when I am struggling and don’t feel like I’m doing a good job as a mama, God is right there with me.

In the busyness and overwhelm of life, I try to find ways to seek God as my refuge through things like devotional time, prayer time and listening to Christian music.

Today, we can let God hold us when we are too weary to keep going!

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for being our refuge and strength always. Lord, lift me up today and strengthen me. Help me through all of the troubles I face. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Psalm 46:1 image
A prayer for God's strength

Prayers without words: How the Spirit intercedes for moms

God meets you in silence with His perfect understanding

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”

Romans 8:26 (NIV)

Figuring out what and how to pray is sometimes challenging. Even as someone who has been in church her whole life and feels a close connection to God, I still struggle with having the right words.

Because the truth is, life is difficult. There are situations I face that I don’t even know what to ask God to do. I’m rendered basically speechless.

That’s where the Holy Spirit steps in. How perfect is God in knowing our needs and meeting them before we even realize the issue is there?!

For those times when you don’t even know what to pray, rest assured the Holy Spirit is bringing requests to God on your behalf. God doesn’t forget you when you are at a loss for words. In fact, I think that’s often when he steps in the best.

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for taking care of my needs even before I know I have them. I ask for your guidance and wisdom in all I have going on in my life. Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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A prayer of thanks for the Holy Spirit

When motherhood feels lonely, God is right beside you

Why God’s friendship means everything in the loneliness of motherhood

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”

Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

Something that surprised me about motherhood was how lonely it can be. I’m a natural introvert who thrives on alone time. As a mom, getting alone time in the early years can be downright difficult or even impossible.

Yet, it can also be so lonely and draining. We spend every moment of the day giving ourselves away. Finding the time or energy to talk with someone else about how we’re doing can be a challenge. And that’s assuming we have someone with whom we can talk who understands us.

I have learned time and again – especially during a season of one loss after another – that God is dependable. He doesn’t leave me and is right there to listen to me.

Since becoming a mom, I appreciate the friendship of God more than ever. I am thankful He is there when I’m up with a sick child in the middle of the night or fretting about a challenge one of my kids is facing while I’m washing my hair.

We are able to find contentment, joy, peace and friendship with our Heavenly Father at all times.

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for always being with me. I appreciate having you as a friend who is constant, dependable and true. When I’m feeling lonely and out of sorts, remind me of your goodness and presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Hebrews 13:5
A prayer for loneliness in motherhood

Promises kept: Finding faith in God’s unfailing Word

Why you can trust God’s promises, even when life shifts

“Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.”

Joshua 21:45

Have you ever made a promise you couldn’t keep? I have. It’s not that we’re lying or trying to be mean. Instead, life sometimes happens, and plans have to change. We can end up disappointing the people who love the most – our families.

However, I am thankful that God’s promises never fail. This verse talks about His promises never failing to Israel, but it is true for us as well. And, let’s just think about the Israelites for a moment.

They were God’s chosen people. They followed Him closely, except when they didn’t. They got distracted and sidetracked so many times. They doubted God. They made idols to worship. They let other people influence them.

In short, they were just like us. Yet, God remained faithful and true to the promises He made them just as He will for us. That’s the God we serve!

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for your faithfulness and the promises you make in my life. When I start to have doubts and get distracted, bring me back to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Joshua 21:45
A prayer for the weary mom

God’s rest for weary moms: Find peace in His presence

Rest in God’s presence and feel His love when you need it most

“The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’”

Exodus 33:14

When my son was 4, we moved from the house he’d always lived in up until that point. Recently, he was sharing with us that he has only a few memories from living there.

One of those memories is a time he was upset and lying on his bedroom floor. He might have been crying. What he remembers most, though, is how I responded.

Instead of lecturing him or getting upset with him, I just laid down beside him in his preschool misery. Honestly, I don’t remember this specific moment, but I know I’ve had quite a few like it in motherhood.

Because, sometimes our children need most for us to just be with them in their misery so they know they aren’t alone. They can rest in our presence and know they are loved.

This is exactly what I picture with God. Sometimes I’m so beside myself that I fret and wail and flail. I want to lie on the floor and throw a fit.

And you know what He does? He lays there with me and puts His arms around me – even when I’m upset because of something I messed up on my own. He lets me just feel His love and support so I can rest and then get up and keep going.

Enjoy God’s rest today in whatever you’re facing. He will be there to hold you close and give rest to your weary heart.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for always being with me. Help me to feel your presence today and be able to truly rest in you. I get so weary and need your strength. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Exodus 33:14
A prayer for weary moms

Bible verses to give you hope for your children’s future

7 Bible verses about hope for the future to encourage moms

From the time we find out we’re pregnant, we moms think about the future and our children. And we may find ourselves stressing out with worries about what the future will hold. 

Turning to the Word of God is always helpful in times like these. I’ve pulled together seven of the best Bible verses about hope for the future that remind us mamas of God’s promises and faithfulness — no matter what the future holds.

It’s easy to put together a collection of Bible verses and declare they’ll help in whatever hard times you’re facing. But, let’s dig deeper into these verses to find the ultimate hope we have for the future in God. 

I’ve got some practical ways you can apply some of my favorite Scriptures into your daily life to grow in Christian hope and rest in God’s love.

This post is part of the “Grace-Filled Stress Relief” free Bible study for moms. Find all the details here:

Find all the details about the stress-relief Bible study for moms here

Hebrews 10:24-25

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 of Bible verses about hope for the future

Besides having the encouragement of the Scriptures, we also need encouragement from others around us. God’s intentions for us are to live in community with one another. We can do that in a variety of ways.

We must be part of a fellow community of believers. Find a church based on God’s Word and get involved.

This advice is something we hear a lot. Find believers; get involved. 

I don’t say that flippantly. As a quiet person, who is also an introvert, I know the struggle is real. I’ve been let down by God’s children often throughout my decades as a Christian.

But, God tells us to not give up meeting together. It won’t always be easy. People will let you down and even hurt your feelings. Don’t let any of that stop you.

We serve a God of hope who has good plans for each of us. Seek Him and be open to where He leads you.

Be patient.

This year, I turned 45. Having been in church my entire life and asking Jesus into my heart at age 10, I’ve been around a lot of Christians through the years. A lot!

Yet, it wasn’t until recently that I truly learned what Christian community in practice can really be like. Our Heavenly Father led us to a new church after years at the church we were at.

And, this has been such a blessing to my family. I truly understand the feeling of family at church in ways I never had previously. 

I tell you this to say don’t give up hope if it doesn’t come easy or doesn’t come right away. It may take a little while — or a long while. But there is a community of believers out there waiting for you to join them.

Find what works in your season.

I also want to mention that some phases of life and motherhood make finding a community of believers really difficult. Getting out of the house on Sunday mornings with little kids who are constantly sick or struggling is hard.

Don’t let that stop you from finding other believers you can connect with. Some seasons require us to get a bit more creative in seeking out others. 

Find a group of fellow Christian moms online to connect with. Reach out to Christian family members.

Be intentional about going after and building a community of faith to encourage you today and help strengthen your Biblical hope in the unfailing love of God.

When my children were really young, I was part of a small Bible study group with three other ladies who met weekly in a home. It wasn’t a church service, but we sincerely sought God together and lifted each other up in prayer. 

It was perfect for that season of my life.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 of Bible verses about hope for the future

This verse comes from Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ. He is instructing the church in Thessalonica on how to live and continue to grow in their walk with God. 

A little gratitude can go a long way when we are overwhelmed and worried. Gratitude shifts our focus off the problem.

Even in looking to the future, we can have an attitude of gratitude in knowing no matter what the future holds, God will be present and faithful.

Thank God.

Make thanking God part of your daily routine. Maybe during your prayer time or other times, take a moment to reflect on and thank God for the blessings He’s given you now.

Thank Him for future blessings you don’t even know about, yet. Doing so will help you remember God is just as much part of your future as He is your present and was your past.

Keeping a gratitude journal can be a great way to do stay intentional with gratitude.

Check out these additional resources about gratitude:

Make time for praise.

Worrying about the present or future is pretty much impossible when you’re praising God. Find ways to make praise part of your daily routine.

You can spend time praising God in prayer, listening to praise music or praising God as a family at the dinner table. Or do a combination of all these things.

You can find Families with Grace on Spotify with a playlist of Christian praise music to get you started!

Proverbs 16:9

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

Proverbs 16:9 from Bible verses about hope for the future

I’m a planner by nature. In fact, as I type this I have a physical planner sitting to the left of me and a digital planner pulled up on the screen beside me.

Oh, and my family’s weekly planner is sitting on the printer for me to post on the fridge.

So, yeah. I plan. A lot. I love lists and calendars. They soothe me and make me feel in control.

But, I’ve found the control I feel in my human mind isn’t real control at all. It’s basically an illusion.

All the to-do lists in the world can’t stop my children from getting sick and disrupting my plans. Unchangeable things happen. Weather, sickness, loss and more interrupt our plans.

I’ve learned uncertain times in my own life are not all uncertain or surprising to God. 

Don’t forget the past.

When life does go sideways, I find strong encouragement in remembering the past and how God has brought me through each and every challenge.

Taking time to dwell on the goodness of God in the strife of life is important and gives us a future hope in knowing God will be with us every step of the way. He always been faithful, and He won’t stop now.

Trust in the good things God has for you.

Another way I’ve found to encourage myself when my plans don’t come to fruition is to know and trust God wants and has good things for me both in the present and the future.

Because even when times are hard or uncertain, I am surrounded by the blessings of God. When life is really difficult and finding hope for the future is beyond our understanding, then we can at least find hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

I’ll never forget one of my lowest moments when I was at church, saw the cross and felt God reminding me that when everything was falling apart, I could always fall back on the hope of salvation and love of Jesus.

Isaiah 41:10

“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 from Bible verses about hope for the future

This verse — oh, this verse! It is one of the very first Bible verses I ever memorized as a child. I truly believe the power of the Holy Spirit kept this verse on my mind and in my heart.

Life is scary. Looking at the future is scary. Yet, God is with us — always. 

I clung to the first part of this verse most when I was a child and afraid of unknown things in the dark. When I got older, I learned the rest of the verse, and the hope it has given me is beyond my own understanding.

Because not only can I let go of fear and trust God is on top of things, I can also lean into and rely on His strength, help and protection. I can imagine no safer place than in the right hand of God.

Memorize a helpful verse.

This verse may not be your verse, so to speak, like it is for me. But find a Bible verse to remind you of the Lord’s great love and His perfect peace.

If you’re not sure what verse is right for you, pray and ask God to guide you and open the eyes of your heart to find the verse He has for you. 

Write it out, post it on your mirror, recite it over and over or whatever you need to do to dwell on and remember the verse. Our God is a God of living hope and His Word reminds us of this throughout both the Old Testament and New Testament.

Check out these posts full of Bible verses for some ideas as well.

Visualize yourself with God.

Another thing I’ve done with this verse in particular is visualize myself resting in God’s hand. It may sound a bit silly, but it brings me comfort to know Someone bigger than me who is trustworthy is on duty when I feel like I can’t go on.

Find an image that brings you peace and comfort from our Heavenly Father. Close your eyes and imagine that when you start to feel overwhelmed in life. 

Ask God to give you thoughts of peace in the midst of the struggle and worry.

Psalm 100:5

“For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 100:5 from Bible verses about hope for the future

If I think about all God has brought me through in my life, I can see the great mercy of God and the steadfast love of the Lord. I praise Him for that and am so thankful.

Somehow, I am even more thankful God is merciful, faithful and loving to my children. Knowing not only is God good and constant, but He will be there for my children and future generations makes me want to shout for joy.

As moms, we want good for our children, just as our Heavenly Father does for us. We can trust Him to take care of our children even when we can’t.

Pray over and for your children.

The Lord delights in the love of His children, which includes our own children. Pray over and for your kids to know God personally. 

Nothing matters more than helping our children grow in and build a relationship with God. Prayer is foundational for this.

Check out “14 Powerful prayers to pray for your school children” for more inspiration.

Stand on God’s promise of faithfulness.

During those times when you do feel overwhelmed and worried about what the future holds for your children, stand on promises like the one in this verse.

God has been faithful to every generation since Adam and Eve. He will continue to be faithful to your children’s generation and beyond.

Psalm 37:5

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this.”

Psalm 37:5 from Bible verses about hope for the future

These words from King David in the Bible are encouraging. In fact, the verses following this one go on to talk about how God will reward our righteousness, and we don’t have to worry when wicked seems to be prevailing.

Just a little faith can go a long way. In fact, David, who was called a man after God’s own heart, had his own faith struggles.

Throughout the book of Psalms, we see David’s emotions go up and down as he wavers and wonders.

But he always comes back to the Lord God, who never lets him down, just as He never lets us down.

Keep going on your faith walk.

When we feel overwhelmed, stressed, discouraged and fearful of the future, it’s easy to start pulling away from God. We can find ourselves resisting going to church, reading the Bible, praying and more.

Yet, these are the very times we need to keep going and commit our way to God. Even when you feel like you may only be going through the motions, don’t stop. 

Those motions will eventually lead you right to your Savior Jesus Christ who is patiently waiting for you to get back in line with Him.

Don’t get ahead of yourself.

It can be hard to not try to fix things ourselves. We think we know what’s best most of the time, and perhaps especially for our children.

This verse reminds us God doesn’t expect us to have all the answers. We just need to commit ourselves to Him and have faith in Him. 

He will do the rest.

Philippians 1:6

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 1:6 from Bible verses about hope for the future

We’ve all started projects and not finished them. Or we’ve delayed working on them. Life gets busy and other things take precedence.

God is not the same. He has a work of faith going in you, and He won’t stop until the end. He doesn’t get distracted or sidetracked by life.

Remember God is working in your children’s lives.

Just as God will remain faithful to carry out the good work in our lives, He will do so for our children as well. We can trust and rest in that promise firmly.

Along with having the hope of eternal life for ourselves and our children, we also have the hope of God’s faithfulness and help every step of the way until we get there. 

We can be encouraged to know God won’t forget about the good work He started in our children, even when we see them falling short.

Think in the long-term.

Thinking in the long-term sounds a bit counterintuitive when we are talking about not having fear for the future. But, let me explain.

Sometimes we can get caught up in our present sufferings and things we see coming right away. God, however, sees the big picture beyond what we can see.

So thinking in the long-term can help us have perspective about whatever we’re currently facing. We have the hope of glory no matter what happens.

For example, I’ve gained a lot of perspective in life as I’ve grown. Teenage me found small things to be a much bigger deal than adult me does, because I’ve got more perspective.

If we can wrap our minds just a bit around the long-term plan of living for God, then we can more easily let our earthly worries and fears dissipate.

What does the Bible say about balance for moms?

7 Bible verses to help moms live a more balanced life

The idea of a balanced life sounds good. We imagine being able to do it all: care for our children, pursue our passions, love our husbands, draw closer to God, maintain our household, get involved with volunteer work and connect with our friends.

What does the Bible say about balance for moms Pinterest image 4

But, the truth is, we can’t literally do it all or do it all well. The good news is, though, that this idea of doing it all isn’t Biblical. God’s Word is full of wisdom to help us find a more balanced approach to life — even in the midst of the chaos of motherhood.

Having a harmonious balance in our lives leads to less stress, greater contentment, a stronger spiritual life and all sorts of good things!

I also know as a mama myself that finding a healthy balance is often easier said than done. Some days I’m rocking my motherhood journey while my work gets a bit derailed. Other days, I’m consumed by a large project and letting housework slide.

Taking a look at Biblical teachings and God’s perspective on a balanced life helps us find peace and encouragement.

(Looking for ways to have less stress as a mom? Be sure to check out this free Bible study, “Grace-Filled Stress Relief: A Faith Journey for Moms.”)

Find all the details about the stress-relief Bible study for moms here

Spend time in prayer.

The Word of God tells us we are talk to God in every situation. That includes both small stuff and large stuff.

“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)
Philippians 4:6-7

One of the basic ideas in this verse is bringing our requests to God helps alleviate anxiety from our lives. When are lives are balanced, we have less anxiety because we are relying on God for everything.

If we can make conversation with God a way of life, then we will be more in tune with our Heavenly Father and able to find the balance we need.

God doesn’t desire for us to live out of balance. Usually we get ourselves in that situation by trying to do too much. Praying and seeking the will of God for our lives can help us gain the perspective we very much need.

Have an attitude of gratitude.

Also in these verses, the apostle Paul mentions we need to present our requests with thanksgiving. Don’t skip over that part. 

Being thankful for the gifts of God — from material possessions to eternal life — is important and can greatly impact our spiritual life. When we are focusing on our gratitude, we are better in line with God and able to have a better balance.

Check out these additional gratitude resources:

Do your work as for God.

In our modern world, success is counted as making money, having high-achieving children, being well-liked and all sorts of other things. But, that’s not God’s idea of success. 

He wants us to do good works, but thanks to the love of the Father, the Lord Jesus died for our sins so our eternity isn’t determined by our actions. 

However, God also has a purpose for each of our lives. That means whatever He has called you to do at this time is an act of worship and should be done like you are doing it for Him in all the different areas of your life.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
Colossians 3:23-24

We can better find balance as we rest in knowing all the different ways we’re living out our God-given purpose are exactly what we should be doing — from wiping bottoms to closing deals.

Keep your priorities in check.

When we have a full plate, we can get easily side-tracked from the things that are truly priorities in our lives. Even as moms, we can get distracted taking care of everyone else so much that we have our spiritual priorities out of whack and aren’t spending time with God like we need to.

In order for spiritual growth to happen and keep our lives in balance, we need to understand and honor our priorities. General life priorities vary from one mama to another, but our first priority should always be God.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
Matthew 6:33

We can prioritize God by simply spending time with Him in prayer, reading the Bible, worshipping Him through music and attending church with other believers.

Don’t compare yourself to others.

In motherhood more than any other area of life, we compare ourselves to others. Doing so tips our life out of balance.

Because we do all have a God-given purpose, and that purpose is unique to each of us. There is no way to equally compare two mamas, because their lives, purposes and children are different. 

God’s wisdom clearly states we should not compare ourselves to others.

“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.”

Galatians 6:4-5
Galatians 6:4-5

You can’t argue with the Word of truth! We must do our best to stop falling into the comparison trap and maintain our focus on God’s plan for our individual lives.

Understand what season you’re in.

To have any sort of work-life balance — whether that be work inside the home, outside the home or both — we must reflect on what season of life we’re living in.

For example, when my children were babies and toddlers, I did very little work, even though I feel like my writing is my ministry and calling from God. During that season, I learned the importance of balance in attending first to the needs of my young family.

Life is full of seasons, as we read even back in the Old Testament.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
Ecclesiastes 3:1

Right now your season may be solely childcare, in which case you focus on doing so as you are working for God and don’t get distracted thinking of all the other things you have done in previous seasons or want to do in coming seasons.

Make time for spiritual refreshment.

We need to attend our physical needs along with our mental, emotional and spiritual ones. Sometimes a renewal of your mind from spending time with God can refresh you spiritually so that you feel more balanced in life.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”

Psalm 23:1-3 (NIV)
Psalm 23:1-3

By God’s grace, he can refresh our soul when we spend time with Him. On those long nights when you aren’t sure you’re going to make it through, seek God and know He is there to refresh your soul and calm your heart.

Take time for physical rest.

These Bible verses also remind us to rest physically. We don’t have to lie down in literal green pastures, but finding ways to physically rest are importance for maintaining balance and reducing stress in our lives.

I know sometimes thinking about such things as a full day of rest when you’re juggling a family, especially with younger children, seems preposterous. But it’s vital. 

Even finding rest in small ways throughout your week can make a big difference in how you feel.

Don’t carry the load you weren’t meant to carry.

I love these words of our Lord Jesus Christ in the New Testament for the way they make me envision being held and loved as a child in her father’s arms:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV)
Matthew 11:28-29

Our load gets unbalanced when we try to carry things — burdens! — we weren’t meant to carry on our own. Laying our burdens at the feet of Jesus and leaving them there is soothing for our soul and our emotions.

Sometimes the best thing we can do is literally write down the burdens we’re struggling most with and pretend to hand them to our Father. Put them in an envelope or whatever works for you to remember He is there to carry your burden and you don’t have to.

Find a supportive community.

Another way to share our load is by finding a supportive Christian community to study with, pray with and just live life with. God made us to need other people.

Find a good church and get involved. And don’t forget to look online as well. 

I have a private Facebook group, Christian Moms with Grace, that is an encouraging community of mamas living life together. We talk about topics like these. 

You can find more in the free study “Grace-Filled Stress Relief” and join us in the group for such discussions.

30 Encouraging Bible verses on stress for moms

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!

Bible verses on stress for moms Pinterest image 1

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.”

Philippians 4:6-7

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.”

Psalm 55:22

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.”

John 14:27

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.’”

Psalm 46:10

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.”

1 Peter 5:7

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:

Find all the details about the stress-relief Bible study for moms 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!

Finding strength in God when motherhood is draining

Trust in God’s promise of strength to transform exhaustion into hope

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)

Before I became a mom, I thought I knew what being tired meant. I’d been through graduate school taking classes and working. I’d dealt with chronic pain and various surgeries even.

But nothing is tired like mom tired, especially new mom tired. Even now that my kids are a bit older and in school, I look back at their early days and wonder how I made it. Besides lack of sleep, there are so many other parts of motherhood that just make us weary. It’s constant and takes challenges us mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually

Motherhood is neither for the faint of heart nor the weak of disposition! I can think of no other time in my life I have needed and relied on the strength of God more to increase my power – energy! – than since I’ve been a mom.

Sometimes we forget that God understands where we’re coming from. He knows our exhaustion and weariness. In the midst of it all, He is right there with us through it. When that baby gives you a smile that keeps your going or when that teen stops for a quick hug on their way out the door that refreshes you, God is right there in the middle of it.

Ask Him for His strength in your weariness today and be on the lookout for how He’ll provide it for you, because He surely will!

Prayer:

Dear God, today I am weary. I’m tired and out of energy. Give me your strength for all that I face today. I claim your promises that you give strength to us when we are weary and increase our power when we are weak. I need you today, Father. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Isaiah 40:29
A prayer for strength