Grace in Chaos - Biblical Hope for the Hard Days of MotherhoodSample

What hope is there when you’re in the pit of motherhood, overwhelmed by dirty diapers and piles of laundry? What hope is there when you’re struggling with anxiety, worried for the future of your children? Or when you grow more frustrated by the day because of your children’s behavior, only to experience increasing mom guilt when you lose your temper—again?

The gospel offers you great hope.

When we look at the gospel, we can think aboutfour main categories: Creation, the Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. Let's take a look:

Creation: When God created the world, He made it good. There was prosperity, and fullness, and perfect love.

The Fall: When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, sin and brokenness invaded every part of our human existence, including our mothering. Because of the Fall, our children are born little sinners, and we are too. Where there should be perfect, joyful, first-time obedience, there is instead rebellion, tantrums, and impatience. Parenting sometimes feels like trudging through mud, wondering how much of our efforts are even worth it.

Redemption: There is hope. After Adam and Eve sinned, God made a promise: to send His Son, Jesus, into the world to save and redeem us. He promised that He is coming again to destroy the curse put on the world and conquer sin and death forever. When Jesus came, He lived the perfect life we couldn’t, and died the death we deserved. But amazingly, Jesus didn’t stay dead. He rose from the dead and now offers forgiveness, help, and hope to all who place their faith in Him (1 Corinthians 15:1–6).

Restoration: One day, Jesus will return. Tantrums and disobedience will be no more. Worry, depression, and despair will cease. We will be with God, and everything will be right.

The gospel brings us hope on our hard days and reminds us we are not alone. If Jesus has already done the hardest job of dying on the cross for our sins, then will He not help you when you find playdough stuck in your carpet or when the baby is up in the middle of the night?

God has already done the hardest task of saving our souls from eternal judgment. He can, and He will, help you as you seek to love your children.

Questions:

1. Have you ever believed the gospel and put your faith in Jesus? If so, think back on how the good news has transformed your life and praise God for His grace. If not, consider: what is keeping you from placing your faith in Jesus?
2. Read 1 John 3:1. How does the gospel change our daily experience as parents?
3. Spend time in prayer, thanking God for His grace and mercy.