When days are hard

© Renee Jansoa - Fotolia.com

I’ve been exhausted lately as I’ve been pulled in so many different directions. Working full time, staying up late, getting up early, helping with homework, shopping, menu planning, house cleaning (well not really, I’m too tired), juggling finances, ministry and relationships. There just never seems to be enough time in my day to do it all. I find myself getting further and further behind and it appears that I will never catch up. Not to mention I’ve had a headache for three days. My kids need my attention, but I can barely move. My house needs my attention, but I have no motivation. And my poor husband. He gives so much grace. Oh, and the holidays are right around the corner, literally. The thought of cooking a Thanksgiving meal, getting a Christmas tree and decorating the house, not to mention Black Friday Christmas shopping, has my head spinning so fast that it’s hard to focus. My head hurts!

Life happens. But when I allow myself to get overwhelmed, it can begin to take it’s toll on my physical body — thus the headache. As a full-time working mom with so many commitments, it’s hard to stay balanced. I often feel like a girl on the end of a Teeter-Totter, where after the other child jumps off, I am thrown to the ground with such force it knocks the wind right out of me. I am having to remind myself to breathe as I run around doing so much, but accomplishing very little in the scheme of things. Some days I want to run and hide. “Calgon, take me away!”

Jesus never promised that being a wife, mother and homemaker would be an easy job. But He did promise that He would bring help along the way.

He brings peace in times of chaos.

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. (Isaiah 26:3)

He gives grace to the weak.

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)

He gives rest to the weary.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

He gives wisdom to those who ask.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)

On those days when I feel like crawling into a hole, or running away and escaping, I must look up, fixing my eyes on the only One who can give me the strength and motivation to continue moving forward on the hard days. He promises to help me, if I ask Him.

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2)

Have you experienced any hard days recently? What promises of God help to bring you through?