Risen Motherhoodنموونە

Heart Attitudes

Watch any child long enough, and you’ll know that humans are made for worship. Like a toddler in the toy aisle throwing a tantrum because you won’t buy them the purple kitty with the enormous eyes, their outward rage is only a sign of the war of worship in their hearts. God made us in his own image for his glory, which means we are created by God, for God, and for worship. 

But in the fall, Satan deceived Eve when she had a craving to worship herself over God. She doubted God’s promises, thinking if she could just get control of her circumstances, she might be better off. Very quickly her circumstances only got worse. Separated from her Creator, the perpetual wandering and roaming of the human heart for worship began.

When motherhood feels hard, it's easy to blame our circumstances, children, or husbands. But our biggest problem with motherhood is ourselves. When we worry about tomorrow’s schedule or get frustrated because our morning alone time is short, our hearts are revealing what is already there: misplaced worship of our own comforts and control. Can you relate?

If you're like us, it's easy to fear that our negative heart attitudes reflect who we truly are on the inside. We name ourselves: the angry mom, the worrier, the stressed-out mom…  and without Christ, it’s true. We are all sinners on a path to self-destruction. 

But if you are a believer, you have union with Christ. This means Christ is in you. It is not Christ plus you, or Christ and then you, or Christ and not you. It is Christ in you, which means you have everything Christ has. When you are stripped bare, when you peel away everything you believe defines you—your hobbies, dreams, skill sets, personality, weaknesses, and sinful tendencies—who are you? If you are in Christ, then it is not the sinful, uncontrollable woman you fear who remains—it is Christ. It is our loving, kind, gracious, merciful Savior in you.

Through your faith in Jesus, you are a new creation in Christ, which means by the power of the Holy Spirit, you can change. You no longer have to give in to temptations, fight for control in all areas of life, or give in to expressing every feeling you have. Your circumstances do not define you. Trust that because of Christ’s work on the cross, you can grow, improve, and be transformed to be more like him.

Mom, God has not left you to battle your sin alone. Believe you are united with Christ. Exchange your worries, fears, and anger with the worship of our good and loving Father who sent his Son to battle on your behalf. God uses wayward circumstances to reveal the waywardness of our hearts. Each day, as you feel the pressure mounting, the accusations accumulating, the temptations luring, look to Christ to be all you need. 

Reflect: What words do you tend to label yourself with? Example: the angry mom, the worrier, the stressed-out mom… How does your union with Christ encourage you to fight sin and choose holiness in your circumstances?