As the mother of five children and the grandmother of eight, I’ve experienced many of the highs and lows that new parents encounter. The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone in this important endeavor.
Yes, you may feel like you’re alone. You may not have a partner or a supportive family. You may live far away from those who could offer hands-on help and encouragement. The important thing to remember is that God is with you wherever you are, whatever you’re facing. He is faithful, and He will see you through.
The Bible is filled with God’s comforting thoughts and intentions. His words offer the assurance you need to reach out to Him, confident that He will reach back, gently providing all the insights, and encouragement you could possibly need to calm your troubled heart and light the path ahead. The following four passages were a great comfort to me.
1. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) tells us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” Nice words, you might say, but what do they mean? Let’s pretend for a moment that you’re drowning in the ocean and a lifeguard swims out to save you. In a fit of panic you might try to fight off your rescuer, but once you relax, acknowledge that he is there to save you and he knows what he’s doing, it’s a short swim to safety.
If you’re drowning in your circumstances, trust that the Lord is there to help you. Push away the panic and acknowledge that He knows what He’s doing. Once you relax and let Him take over, you’ll be surprised how quickly life feels manageable again.
2. Second Corinthians 3:4–5 (NRSV) says: “Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God.” Simply put? You don’t have to know everything there is to know about being a parent. Promise. God has placed certain instincts within you, instincts that surface once you relax and let them flow naturally. You’re already more equipped than you think.
3. Psalm 28:7 (NIV) comforts us with these words: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him and he helps me.” It’s important to remember that God made you. That’s right, you are His creation and He knows you inside out and backwards. If you need strength after a long night, He will bolster you. If you need insight, He’s the fountain of all “baby” knowledge. Sometimes He will provide what you need by sending someone your way, and sometimes He will help you reach down deep inside and find what you need to get the job done.
4. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) encourages us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” On a scale of 1-10, I was probably a 10 on the worry chart. But finally, I learned that worry is almost always about what hasn’t happened yet. Worry is a drain on your precious reserves of time, energy, and emotional strength. How much better it is to talk those worries over with God and then let Him keep watch.
Being a new parent can be stressful under any circumstances, but at the same time, it is a time you will deeply cherish as you look back. You will be able to experience it just once with the child you are now holding. Be comforted by the Bible, God’s Word, and allow Him to help you enjoy every moment.
By Gena Graham
