«So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus» (Romans 8:1, NLT).
My friend was worried and called me because her baby had a few health issues. Even though she was doing absolutely everything she could do to help him, she could not help feeling guilty. She felt guilty about needing time for herself, guilty about not knowing what else to do, guilty about not being more patient. . . My poor friend was drowning in a sea of false guilt! Generally, this guilt does not come in response to a real sin, but to a personal perception. «The most common cause of mom guilt seems to be that we believe we have failed to live up to standards of [ideal] mothering,» writes Sarah Hardee in her article «The Problem with Mommy Guilt.» «We feel like we have failed as moms when we aren’t daily implementing some new sensory playtime activity for our little ones or if we are not hosting elaborate Pinterest-inspired birthday parties every year. . . . While all of these endeavors are great, they are not found in the Scriptures. Our Lord has not said in His Word that we must do these silly activities or perfect birthday parties or else we are sinning as moms and scarring our children for life.»
When the dragon of perfectionism and unrealistic expectations tries to set our false guilt on fire, let us fight it with God’s Word. In her article «Jesus Cancelled Your Mommy Guilt Trip,» Gloria Furman writes, «Whether our emotions agree, the verdict is in: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).» There is no condemnation! You do not need to try to calm your hyperactive conscience by signing your children up for another five extracurricular activities. You do not need to run faster without getting anywhere, as if on a tiny hamster wheel. You are not (and never will be) able to give your children everything they need. Lift up your eyes and rest on God’s provision.
«In my effort to serve God faithfully in my motherhood,» writes Gloria, «I must refuse to entertain the notion that my work can be done through any other strength but God’s and to any other end besides his glory.» Remain in Christ and rest in His provision.
Dear Lord, please help me to be the best mother/aunt/grandmother I can be. Free me from false guilt, from depending on myself, from perfectionism, and from unrealistic expectations.
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Take From: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2022
«NO FEARS»
BY: VANEZA PISSUTO
Collaborators: Alexandra Perez & Angelica Cuate
