Scriptures for encouragement on your motherhood journey
You ever have one of those overwhelming days when you question whether you’re even cut out to be a mom? I sure have. This was a challenge as a new mom getting used to motherhood, but even now it remains a challenge in having children in middle and high school.
The truth is being a mom is hard work. The challenges of motherhood abound from organizing schedules, dealing with laundry, making sure everyone is fed, encouraging our children’s spiritual walk, staying on top of homework and on the list goes.
The good news for us overwhelmed moms is God’s Word has a lot of encouragement for us. I’ve pulled together some of the top Bible verses to encourage your mama heart right where you are.
(Find the link to download the free reading plan at the end of the article.)
The power of the Word of God for moms
I know as a busy mom that getting in time for Bible study is hard and sometimes downright impossible. Some seasons are a bit easier, and some are a lot harder.
I remember the early days as a first-time mom and feeling overwhelmed. I could barely keep up with my personal hygiene, let alone Bible study.
God reminded me time and again that He knew I was a struggling mom, He was with me every step of the way and I needed to give myself grace.
One of the best things I found for those times — and even now as a mom of older kiddos — is simple Bible reading plans. Just reading one or two verses a day gets my mind focused on my Heavenly Father — exactly as it should be!
Practical ways for moms to get in Bible study time
When you’re an overwhelmed mom, even coming up with ideas to read a verse or two a day can seem impossible. I get that! Here are some of my best suggestions for helping work it into your schedule.
- Pray about it. Seriously! I have many times asked God to show me how to best use my time, including how to work in Bible reading time.
- Try habit stacking. For example, I pray as I brush my teeth. I read my Bible as I eat breakfast or as I dry my hair.
- Listen to the Bible instead. If you aren’t a reader, check out the great audio options in the YouVersion Bible app.
- Use a simple Bible reading plan (like the ones I have for you for free!) that you can stick with.
- Find a Bible translation that you understand and get the most out of.
For more, check out “How to connect with God in the middle of raising a family.”
Top 5 encouraging Bible verses for moms
Ideally, you can spend the entire month reading through 30 of the most inspiring Bible verses to encourage moms. But, I also know there are hard days when you just need encouragement fast.
So, I’ve pulled out a list of 5 of my favorite verses of encouragement for the difficult times. Read and re-read the following Bible verses whenever you’re struggling and need extra encouragement.
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.”
This is one of my very favorite Bible verses of all time. I first learned it in my third grade Sunday School class, and it’s gotten me through so many rough days and hard times.
At first, I was drawn to the first part of the verse to not fear, but as I got older and learned the entire verse, I can no longer pick a favorite part.
Because as a mom, I need the reminder that God is with me, that He will strengthen and help me, and He is holding me tightly.
Prayer: Dear God, calm my heart today and remind me you are always with me so I don’t have to be afraid. Strengthen and help me in all that I am doing. Lord, I ask that you uphold me firmly in your hand. Thank you for being the God of all comfort I can always turn to. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
One thing we need as mamas is strength. This verse is a terrific reminder of God’s strength and the power of the Holy Spirit to bestow His strength upon us.
From the middle-of-the-night feedings and struggles of new moms to the middle-of-the-night anxieties of moms with teens, God is there to strengthen us.
Just after my youngest was born, I was getting very little sleep. I was averaging around two hours a night at best.
I cannot tell you now how I managed. It is definitely beyond my own understanding. I just know that God was always faithful to give me strength for each moment.
Prayer: Dear God, I have so many tasks before me. I can feel so easily overwhelmed by them. Give me your strength to get through every moment of my day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Matthew 11:28-29
“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.”
There is nothing more restful than the peace of God, which is what this verse is reminding us of. One of the biggest reasons I get exhausted and overwhelmed is not giving my worries and burdens to God.
Yet, here Christ Jesus Himself is telling us to come to Him when we are too tired to keep moving forward. He will bear our burdens and give us perfect peace and rest for our souls as only God’s unfailing love can do.
It’s incredibly comforting to me to remember that I don’t have to carry all my burdens alone.
Prayer: Dear God, I am weary and burdened. I need your rest today. Teach me and help me to learn from you. Remind me of your unconditional love and provision. Strengthen me as only you can. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
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.
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.
Jeremiah 29:11
“‘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.'”
The truth of motherhood is that sometimes we lose ourselves. We get so busy taking care of others that we slowly ebb away.
But, mama, God hasn’t forgotten about you. He has plans for your life — and they are good plans!
He knows you are doing the good work of raising your children. He sees your sincere faith and your mother’s love that pours into her children every single day.
Our loving God knows motherhood is a high calling, and He doesn’t take it lightly.
He sees you. He wants to give you hope and a future. These days won’t last forever. Eventually, you’ll get back to being a version of yourself.
You won’t be exactly as you were before motherhood, because motherhood changes us in our inmost being. We evolve and grow, just as God planned for us.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for having plans for my life that are good. Some days right now, it’s hard to see them. Remind me of the hope and future I have in you. Give me greater joy as I go through my day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A free reading plan
The Bible is filled with so many other related Scripture quotes to encourage and uplift us. This simple reading plan will take you through 30 such verses by reading just one or two a day.
Download the PDF and print it out or use it on your phone or other device — whatever is easiest for you.
The PDF also includes reflection questions for each week’s topic. The weekly topics include the following:
- Strength in God
- Peace in God
- Hope in the Lord
- Rest in God’s love
- God’s promises
Grow in prayer
The reading plan also includes a prayer for the months relating to encouragement for moms. Sometimes even knowing what to pray and putting thoughts together is hard in the middle of motherhood.
You’ll also find a page to list prayers and praises for the month. This is a great way to keep a prayer journal and be able to look back later and see how God has been working in your life.
Additional ways to grow in faith
Sometimes you might find yourself with more time. Or maybe you’re like I am with older kiddos in school.
There are some other great ways to meditate on these verses.
- Read the verse out loud multiple times, emphasizing the words in different ways each time.
- Pick a verse a week (or month) and memorize it.
- Write the Bible verse by hand.
- Dig deeper and find out the full context of shorter Scripture quotes.
- Involve your whole family by having a verse of the week for everyone.
A final word of encouragement
When it comes to Bible study and getting into the Word of God, we need to make it a priority while also giving ourselves grace.
The truth is some days are just harder to find a moment of quiet time than others. I recently had one of those days myself with a sick child. The next day, I had more time and got caught up.
Your motherhood journey isn’t one you were meant to go on alone. Get into God’s Word, feel His presence and find encouragement!
If you’re looking to connect with other Christian moms like you, be sure to check out our private Facebook group, Christian Moms with Grace, where we have daily discussions to encourage one another along the way!
Don’t miss these other encouraging posts for Christian moms:
7 Prayers for overwhelmed moms needing peace and strength
Encouragement for when you feel like you’re failing God
20 Encouraging Bible verses about peace of mind
