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As Christian moms, we know we have a unique role to play in our children’s lives. Motherhood is a journey–mostly rewarding but sometimes challenging. When we add our Christian faith to the journey of motherhood, the job takes on even more significance.
Our job as Christian moms is to model godly womanhood, raise our children in the faith, and instill values in them that will guide and support them throughout the rest of their lives.
In today’s post, I will explore the Biblical principles of motherhood, some of the challenges we face as Christian moms, and how to thrive in the role for which we were chosen.
I will also give practical tips and encouragement for Christian moms who are struggling to find the right balance between their parenting responsibilities and their faith.
Whether you are a new mom or have been parenting for years, I hope this post will give you some insight and encouragement.
Biblical Principles for Christian Moms
We know that our role, as Christian moms, is guided by Biblical principles. These principles emphasize practicing love and discipline, raising children in the faith, and the importance of godly womanhood.
Godly Womanhood
When I said “Godly Womanhood,” your mind automatically went to Proverbs 31, right? This is the passage that describes a woman as wise, industrious, and deeply committed to her family. The woman described is a role model for Christian moms who are trying to balance their roles of wife and mom with their relationship with God.
Proverbs 31 is not the only passage in the Bible that gives us guidance for godly womanhood. We should also consider Titus 2:3-5. These verses provide qualities that should characterize a godly woman–like purity, respect for her husband and children, self-control, and kindness.
Raising Children in the Faith
In the Old Testament, parents are instructed to teach their children God’s commandments. We are supposed to teach them at home, when we are out and about, when our children lie down, and when they get up.
These instructions are found in Deuteronomy 6:6-7. We know from this passage that faith should be an important part of our family life, and we, as parents, should take an active role in passing down our beliefs to our children.
Another verse that expresses the importance of raising children in the faith is Proverbs 22:6. It says, “Train up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
That doesn’t mean that your child will always be a strong believer. It means that deep in your child’s heart, he/she will know that there is someone guiding him/her. Your child will know that, even if it is the last resort, he/she can call on God for help in time of need.
Love and Discipline as Christian Moms
One of our callings, as Christian moms, is to show love and discipline to our children.
Proverbs 13:24 says, “Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.”
Over the years, we have heard that changed to “Spare the rod, spoil the child.”
This verse is a reminder that discipline if done in a loving and consistent fashion is a part of parenting–an essential part.
Another reminder that discipline should be loving and used to instruct our children is Ephesians 6:4–“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
Challenges of Being a Christian Mom
Our role as Christian moms comes with a set of challenges. We have to balance parenting and faith, navigate social pressures, and face criticism and judgment.
Balancing Parenting and Faith
If you have ever taken gymnastics or dance or played a sport, you know that balance is one of the most important parts of being an athlete. It’s also one of the most important parts of being a mom.
Unfortunately, it can be difficult to balance faith and parenting, especially if we are juggling other responsibilities.
Finding time to pray, read our Bibles, and attend church can be one of our biggest challenges as Christian moms. We often have so many things that are demanding our time and attention.
Navigating Cultural Pressures
As parents, we teach our children how to deal with the pressures of culture and our society. However, we need to be able to learn those lessons for ourselves.
It is becoming increasingly more difficult to navigate cultural pressures in a society that is becoming more and more secular. This makes it hard for us to raise our children in the faith and hold true to our Christian values.
There will be times, as Christian moms, when we will feel the pressure to conform to the norms of society, even when they contradict our beliefs. We have to be strong in our faith and relationship with God, so we can avoid caving into pressure around us.
Facing Criticism and Judgment
When others around us don’t understand or support our beliefs, they may judge or criticize us. This can come from friends, family members, and, sometimes, strangers. If they don’t share our Biblical worldview, they will find it hard to understand what we do or why we are doing something as Christian moms.
We may find it hard to navigate through these challenges, but if we rely on our faith and the support of others, we can overcome them and thrive as Christian moms.
Thriving as Christian Moms
No matter what challenges come with being a Christian mom, there are some ways that we can thrive in this role.
This section shares practical tips for Christian moms who want to raise their children in the faith while holding true to their values.
Prioritize Your Relationship with God
As Christian moms, it is imperative that we prioritize our own personal relationship with God. We have to make time for prayer and Bible study by finding ways to include them in our daily routine. If you need help finding creative ways to add prayer to your life, check this out.
We should always make every effort to attend church services regularly and seek fellowship with other believers.
Build a Strong Support System
Having a strong support system is critical for Christian moms. Your system can include family, friends, or people from your church who share the same values as you. Be sure the people in your support system can offer encouragement and support, and they won’t tear you down.
Be Intentional about Raising Your Children in the Faith
Honestly, I feel like I don’t need to explain this. I feel like the heading of this section says it all.
However, I’m sure I do need to explain it because this was not something I thought about when my daughter was younger. I didn’t think about being intentional with raising her in the faith.
When we are raising our children in the faith, we have to be intentional. This means we have to make time for family devotions and discussions about faith and God. We should look for opportunities to serve others as a family as well. This demonstrates the love of Christ for the people around you.
Stay True to Your Values
Even when we face criticism and cultural pressure, it is important that we stay true to our values as Christian moms. We have to stand up for what we believe in and teach our children to do the same thing.
Practice Self-Care
Being a mom is a demanding job. It’s important that we take the time to practice self-care. We have to take care of ourselves so that we can take better care of our families.
Make time for a hobby or activities that bring you joy. If you need help, ask for it. Don’t be afraid to let someone know if you need help. Knowing when you need help is a strength, not a weakness.
If we follow these tips and rely on God’s strength, we can thrive as Christian moms who are raising our children to love and serve the Lord.
Conclusion
We know that being a Christian mom is challenging and rewarding. We have the privilege of shaping our children’s lives and guiding them toward a life of purpose and faith. However amazing this journey is, it doesn’t come without difficulties.
Even with the challenges, there are Biblical principles and practical tips that guide us, as Christian moms, so we can thrive in our role. If we prioritize our relationship with God, build a strong support system, stay true to our values, and practice self-care, we will be able to navigate Christian motherhood with wisdom and grace.
My Prayer for Us, Christian Moms
Lord, allow us to have the courage, faith, and perseverance to raise our children the way You would have us to. Allow our efforts today to bear fruit in future generations. Amen