10 Bible Passages For Exhausted Parents
Having a newborn feels like you are experiencing the best kept secret of your life. It’s a kind of joy that you didn’t know was possible. Motherhood is exhilarating!
And exhausting.
I will never forget the absolutely mind-numbing fatigue that my husband Guy and I felt after our first son, Oliver, was born with severe reflux and colic.
He was NOT a sleeper. It didn’t matter what we tried (and we tried everything).
My mind was absolute sludge. I’m still not quite sure how we survived. Our little boy was absolutely adorable and we loved him. That’s how he survived.
We eventually had two more sons and although they both were better sleepers than their big brother, all babies require a lot of attention-even during the night. And that means that most moms are pretty exhausted in those early months. My oldest is almost 8-years-old and to be honest, I’m still dragging my feet most mornings.
This post is for all those exhausted moms (and dads!)--maybe even parents who don’t have newborns but kids with other issues that are keeping them up at night too! It's not just babies that need us during the night at times! It can be our toddlers, our teens, or even our own health issues or anxious thoughts.
Parenting while sleep-deprived is not an excuse for snappy behavior or being irritable and stressed. That’s exactly how I felt so many times but giving in to my impatience, and frustration does not honor God. Instead, it should be an opportunity for me to rely even more on the Holy Spirit to refine me. The following verses can help us when we are weary:
10 PASSAGES FOR EXHAUSTED PARENTS
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Isaiah 40:29
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. Psalm 34:17-20
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
Moms and Dads, this time of exhaustion is a chapter. It’s not necessarily forever, even though it may feel like it. The main thing that we must remember is that God allows every circumstance in our lives as an opportunity to become more like Christ. Trust in Him to give you the strength and sustenance you need to thrive-even when you are deeply fatigued. My prayer is that each of you that finds yourselves in this place of either physical, spiritual, or emotional exhaustion will be refreshed and restored by the washing of the Word of God. May you be blessed and encouraged from one formerly maxed out mom to another!