Overwhelmed: Fighting For Little Souls
Join me in welcoming one of our newest contributors, Kristen Lisemby Lee, to The Better Mom. Today she shares encouragement for us when we are feeling overwhelmed by our battles in motherhood. ~ XO, Ruth
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Can you imagine fluttering and dancing around in the middle of a war zone? With bullets flying over your head and casualties at your feet, you continue to sway and sing, completely oblivious to the battle raging around you.
It sounds absurd, doesn't it? But we are like that sometimes.
Parenthood is a spiritual war zone. The raising and training up of little souls is one of the greatest fights we will ever engage in and, if we want to be found faithful, we can't be twirling around lost in our own little world.
We have to be in the trenches, alert and ready to defend and protect our family.
Is it just me or does that sound overwhelmingly....overwhelming? I know it is easy to feel defeated when you look around at the world we live in. I can't count how many times I've assessed the armies at every angle and thought with panic, "How am I supposed to do this?"
How am I supposed to raise up children who love the Lord with all their being when the majority of Church people ride the fence?
How can I shield them from perversion and protect their innocence when kids are getting pregnant before they get their driver's licence?
How am I supposed to teach them the truth of gender identity and sexual orientation when society has been invaded with it's own brand of so-called truth?
How will I convince my girls that there are men out there who will protect their purity and love them like Christ when women are treated as nothing more than a chunk of sultry meat up for grabs?
How am I supposed to guide my son towards integrity and purity when we live in a world where we are slammed in the face with porn and adultery?
How can I lead their hearts to Jesus when my competition has bright lights and plenty of pizzazz?
Are you overwhelmed, Mama? It's okay. Sometimes I'm on my game, ready to roll up my sleeves and go to battle. Other times I just sit and look around at all the casualties of the war and find myself asking, "Is it even possible to win when we're up against an army this vicious, this blood thirsty?"
Let me encourage you. Yes, it is.
I am right there with you with my own tendency to battle in fear instead of in faith. Yes, we have an enemy that wants to claim the precious souls of our children and that reality should be understood with a sense of gravity. But we do not have to fear if we, as righteous mama bears, are walking close to the Lord of hosts.
Let me share one of my favorite Psalms (Psalm 3) and how it has encouraged me:
Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me...
#relatable, right?
Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
The enemy will spew this lie. Let them spew.
But thou, O Lord art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
With Him, we are protected.
I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.
Even in the carnage all around, we are heard by the King of Glory and have been given a peace which passes all understanding.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.... let this stir your spirit to say, "Bring it!"
Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.
The battle is already won, sister. Dwell on that glorious truth!
If you are feeling overwhelmed, be encouraged! We have a mighty God on our side so we need not be afraid. Instead, let your heart be overwhelmed with awe at the faithfulness of your Lord and King.
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