Being a Mom is Hard: Here Are 10 Bible Verses to Help
Being a mom is hard. Find strength and encouragement from these Bible verses when you’re feeling overwhelmed as a mom.
There was a lot of activity still going on at the foot of my bed when I snuggled my newborn son for the first time. But, honestly, I have no idea what it was. It felt like there were 20 people in that room–but to me, there was only him.
I can’t describe the love that overflowed from my heart when I held my first baby boy in my arms. Even though I had just walked through the jaws of death (not an exaggeration) to bring this child into the world, the hardest days were still ahead.
And I had no idea.
Being a mom is hard. There’s no doubt about that. But it’s also one of the most rewarding jobs in the world.
In this modern social media world, complaining about motherhood or your kids is “the thing.” If you find a clever way to say something ugly to your kids, you’re sure to get a ton of likes, follows, and shares from people you don’t even know.
But eventually, that fame fades. And you’re still left with little hands to hold, a little life to mold, and a little heart that would be crushed if it understood what Mommy really said.
Psalm 127:3 says, “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”
Are we raising our kids to truly believe they are a blessing from God? Or do they see themselves as a burden that mommy needs to escape?
Why Is Being a Mom So Hard?
Being a mom just might be the hardest job in the world. The hours are long, the pay is non-existent and there’s no hope of retirement.
We live in a fallen world. When God created the world, it was perfect. But when sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, everything changed. Now our world is full of suffering, pain, and death.
God told Eve in Genesis 3:16 that as part of her punishment for disobeying, “…in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children…” As long as women continue to have children, we will have sorrow.
But being a mom is also the most rewarding job in the world. If you’ve ever picked up a crying infant in the night, and his tears immediately stopped, you know.
When your toddler runs into your arms and says, “Mommy, I love you,” you know.
Fortunately, all the rewards and blessings of motherhood far outweigh the hard parts.
*All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
Bible Verses to Read When Being a Mom is Hard
It’s easy to start complaining, develop a negative attitude, and seek affirmation from social media when we feel like we’re struggling with motherhood. But that doesn’t mean it’s okay.
God never gives us permission to complain–even about hard things. Instead, he offers us hope and strength in His Word for those hard days.
Here are ten Bible verses for when being a mom is hard:
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, Rejoice.
On the days when I’m in the depths of despair (also known as Tuesdays), rejoicing is the last thing I want to do. But “always” does mean “at all times.”
Rejoicing and praising the Lord doesn’t necessarily make motherhood easier. But they can change my attitude towards motherhood–and towards my children.
When my kids see me rejoicing even in the hard times, it will encourage their faith, too. If they see that my faith is real–that it lasts longer than Sunday’s sermon, they will want a part of it for themselves.
And that’s something to rejoice about.
Galatians 6:9
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
If motherhood were a race, it would be a marathon, not a sprint. We put in the hard work every day. For years.
And it takes a long time to see the results.
When my youngest started kindergarten, he was so excited to learn how to read. At the end of the first day, he asked, “Can I read now?”
Of course, he couldn’t. It took weeks of practice, learning letters, and singing the alphabet song over and over again. But by the end of the school year, he could read very well.
Motherhood is similar. We want to see results right now. But the reality is raising kids takes a very long time. Some would say you’re never really done.
It’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day hard stuff of being a mom. But don’t get tired! Keep putting in the work, and you’ll see the results. God promised that you will.
Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 is a pretty popular verse to turn to in hard times. For good reason. But the verses that come before are equally powerful.
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
Isaiah 40:28-30
God is never tired. He’s never weary. When you’re exhausted being a mom, and you don’t know where to turn, He’s there.
When you feel like you just can’t do this anymore, He will give you the strength you need to make it through the hard days.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
There are times as a mom when I’ve laid across my bed, tears running down my face, and cried out to my Heavenly Father, “I can’t do this anymore!”
But the truth is, I can. Not on my own. I can only do all the hard mom things (and the hard life things) through the strength He gives.
2 Corinthians 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
As a mom, I am not enough for my children. I can never meet all their needs, or make their lives perfect, or even easy.
I fail daily at motherhood. Thankfully, He is enough to fill in where I fail. The times when I realize I’m weak are an opportunity to glory in His strength.
If life was easy, if I never had problems, I would never know His power to solve them. When I pray for my family, I can see the hand of God working in their lives. He can do things I could never do.
First, I have to trust in His strength, then I can see His power at work.
Matthew 11:28-30
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Children are not burdens. They are gifts from God.
However, caring for children, training them to do what’s right, and making sure they eat more than chicken nuggets for lunch every once in a while–that’s hard.
When we dwell on the hard parts of being a mom, we end up carrying a burden that’s impossible to bear. And we aren’t meant to bear it.
Instead of trying to carry it on your own, give it to Him. He sees when you’re tired of being a mom. He’s ready and willing to take your heavy burden, and give His to you.
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Life is full of fear. The future is always uncertain, and if we aren’t trusting in God, we will be afraid.
But we can be strong and have courage because we know that He will never leave us.
People walk away. Whether it be through death, a move, or by choice, people come and go all through our lives.
A great woman of God who I loved and trusted was my Pastor’s wife. I gleaned so much wisdom from her over the years. But she passed away several years ago.
Sometimes I find myself wondering what she would say about a situation. But the truth is, I can never ask her for advice again.
God will never leave me. My very best friend may turn away from me. But He never will. I can take courage because I know He’s always there.
1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
It’s easy as a mom to get bogged down under the cares of the world. Burdens and troubles are tricks of Satan to keep us from living in the joy that God offers to His children.
It’s time to stop trying to carry your cares and anxieties about motherhood yourself. Give them to Him. And walk away.
How often as moms do we kneel and pray, giving God all of our cares…then, we get up, shoulder our burdens again, and head out to face life alone?
He cares so much for us, He’s willing to take our burdens as His own.
So, give them to Him and walk away free.
Psalm 127:3
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: And the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Children really are a gift from God. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that when we’re in the middle of a temper tantrum, a potty training accident, or trying to teach the ever-illusive eight-times table to a stubborn eight-year-old.
But when we take a step back and remember that they are a heritage from the Lord, it changes our perspective.
It’s not just about us anymore. It’s about raising children who will one day love and serve God with all their hearts.
Proverbs 31:28
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Do you ever feel like no one sees the value in what you do? Kids certainly don’t. At least not now.
But they will one day.
A few years ago I attended the funeral of a woman who had four adult children. Each of them took a turn standing up to say what a profound influence she had in their lives. Her husband also took a turn, giving honor to his wife.
I hope that one day my children will be able to stand and say such wonderful things about me. Even if I have passed on, I hope they remember me as a mom who didn’t let being a mom get her down.
A mom who struggled through the hard times, giving her burdens to God, and trusting Him to fill in where I messed up.
The Truth About Being a Mom
When you snuggle that sweet-smelling newborn, you can never guess all the trials and struggles you’ll go through. But you can also never imagine the joy that you’ll feel as a mom.
Here’s the truth about motherhood:
- being a mom is hard
- being a single mom is hard
- being a stay-at-home mom is hard
- being a working mom is hard
- being a new mom is hard
- being a mom is hard
No matter how hard being a mom is, God’s grace is enough. He will carry your burden, and give you the strength you need to make it through.
Next time you’re scrolling through social media and you see that oh-so-relatable video of a tired mama complaining about how hard her life is, remember these verses. Remind yourself that children are a gift from God to cherish–and they are far more important than a few laughs online.
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