Do you see it, Momma?

A few years ago, I wrote this line in my journal, “I hope I never become numb to how good my life really is.” It is something I still hope for. I hope it for all of us. What do I mean by becoming “numb”? I am referring to things that dull the senses, harden the heart, blind the eyes, and deafen the ears. Things that distract us from what matters most. Things that hinder the Spirit in our lives. Things that blind us from the joy and blessings of motherhood. Those “numbing things” are different for everyone (wasting time on social media, selfishness, negative thinking, vanity, Netflix binging, envy, overeating…the list could go on and on). If we aren’t careful of such numbing vices in our lives, we will slowly but steadily become blind to the sweet and tender moments of motherhood. There is much joy and goodness surrounding us, but we have to do our part to see and experience it. In other words, we have to wake up from being numb.

I had a “wake up” call during one of my pregnancies (pregnancy and I don’t get along as you can probably tell from my other blog posts 😉). Life as a mother was feeling overwhelming and numbness to the good in life was creeping in. Amidst all the nausea, vomiting, sleepless nights, and fatigue, it was hard to see much good. On one particularly difficult day, I sincerely prayed for help. How can I get through this? 

Fear is a Lie

Fear. Every one of us has felt it in one way or another. And if we aren’t careful, it will cripple us as mothers.

“Who among us can say that he or she has not felt fear? I know of no one who has been entirely spared. Some, of course, experience fear to a greater degree than do others. Some are able to rise above it quickly, but others are trapped and pulled down by it and even driven to defeat. We suffer from the fear of ridicule, the fear of failure, the fear of loneliness, the fear of ignorance. Some fear the present, some the future. Some carry the burden of sin and would give almost anything to unshackle themselves from those burdens but fear to change their lives. Let us recognize that fear comes not of God, but rather that this gnawing, destructive element comes from the adversary of truth and righteousness. Fear is the antithesis of faith. It is corrosive in its effects, even deadly.” 

–Gordon B. Hinckley

Fear is prevalent among us today—especially among mothers. Anytime I let fear enter my heart, it sneakily affects all aspects of my life. It is like a dark cloud that blocks out the sunlight. It blinds my mind and heart. It distracts me from truth. It distracts me from what matters most. It takes away from my joy in motherhood.

Of course Satan knows how destructive fear is, so you better believe he is having a hay day planting little seeds of doubt and fear into our minds and hearts. He is the “father of all lies”, and finds great satisfaction when we fall for his lies. He knows the POWERFUL force for GOOD mothers can have—and he wants to stop that. If he can bring down mothers, he can bring down the whole family.

We must stop falling for his lies. FEAR IS A LIE.

It is time for us to take action and fight back. How do we fight?