EquippedMama

The heavens declare the glory of God; the sky displays his handiwork. Day after day it speaks out; night after night it reveals his greatness. There is no actual speech or word, nor is its voice literally heard. Yet its voice echoes throughout the earth; its words carry to the distant horizon. The law of the Lord is perfect and preserves one’s life. The rules set down by the Lord are reliable and impart wisdom to the inexperienced. Who can know all his errors? Please do not punish me for sins I am unaware of. Moreover, keep me from committing flagrant sins; do not allow such sins to control me. Then I will be blameless, and innocent of blatant rebellion. May my words and my thoughts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my sheltering rock and my redeemer.

P S A L M 1 9 : 1 – 4 A , 7, 1 2 – 1 4 NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Have you ever looked at your little one and regretted having them? It seems like a horrible idea to admit, but if you haven’t thought this yet, you very possibly might. Perhaps after a sleepless night. Maybe when you realize friends are out doing something fun and you are feeding a fussing baby. Perhaps when you look in the mirror and realize that the baby weight isn’t just “falling off.” Our hearts are full of wickedness, and our nature of evil appears in the most shocking of places. As mamas, it’s easy to look at our little ones and blame them for our newly limited freedoms, changed social circles, or unpleasantly modified bodies. It might be easy, but it is not healthy for us nor our child.

Psalm 19 beautifully testifies of the wonders of God’s creation. Natural revelation heralds the praises of the Lord. The skies tell of His handiwork. The psalmist highlights how the sunset reflects God’s glory. The fading crimson sun washed in the mauve embers of evening sing forth that the Lord is creative and powerful. All of life rejoices in its Creator. Possibly you have experienced this beauty watching a sunset and celebrated the glory of creation.

In his first epistle to the Corinthian church, Paul encourages his readers when he says,

No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13). 

Paul acknowledges the very real presence of trials in our everyday life. He, more than most, understood the trials of discouragement, defeat, and isolation. Yet, in his letter to the church in Corinth, he encouraged believers that their trials were not uncommon. Because of the power of God, they were not unconquerable, either.

What does Paul’s encouragement and the psalmist’s commentary on natural revelation have to do with a hurting mind? Both center on worship. When we focus on the attributes of God, the beauty of His creation, the wonder of His power revealed in everyday miracles, we are able to align our thoughts with His and find a way of escape from our sinful desires.

So, how does this work out practically? Perhaps you will find yourself angry at your child for keeping you awake deep into the night. If this happens, worship the Lord for the beauty of the night sky that He created and has allowed you to enjoy. Take time to consider the constellations, contemplate the perfect conditions of this climate, and praise the Lord for His creativity and design (Psalm 8:4-8).

If you find yourself blaming your child for your apparent lack of importance, worship the Lord that He humbled Himself to become a baby and subject Himself to the humiliation of humanity for our eternal redemption (2 Corinthians 5:21). Thank the Lord that your child is a reminder of the love God has for us.

If you are discouraged with your newfound stretch marks and sagging skin and want to blame your infant for your unpleasant physical changes, thank the Lord that this life is not what we look forward to! Worship the Lord that He has provided eternal hope for your fading body and pray for a heart that truly fears the Lord (Proverbs 31:30).

Worship is a choice; it is an opportunity to enter the throne room of God and align our hearts with the King. But as we do so, His thoughts become ours. Our motives come closer to matching His desires. Our sins are exposed and healed. When you identify evil thoughts surfacing, use them as a motivator for worship. Praise the Lord that He has control over your circumstances and your mind. Praise Him, and then look to Him for deliverance from your hurting mind.

O Lord,

I know that in myself and apart from you my thoughts are wicked and sinful. But I praise you that you are sovereign over my mind and my thoughts. Thank you that you created me and gave me life. Thank you for my child, and thank you for (insert your frustration) because I know that this situation is causing me to see your control over my life. Thank you for your love for me, that in spite of my selfishness, in spite of my humanity, you would love me and send your own Son to die for me. I do not deserve such wonderful love, but I thank you for giving it to me. You are so good and so kind to me.

Please rescue me today from the fallenness of my heart and mind.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.