Godly Women Finding Balance in Motherhood and Life

It’s time to have an honest conversation about our priorities as godly women, wives and mothers.  If we want to find balance amidst the various roles and duties we fulfill on a daily basis we need to be truthful with ourselves and God about our central priority.  Our central priority ultimately governs how we pursue every other priority.

Matthew 6:33 declares, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

What is most important to you; what do you “seek first?”  Family, friends, material objects, ambition, money, happiness and other desires all compete for priority.  As Christian women we often say with certainty that God is most important and pleasing Him is our top priority.  This may be true in some seasons but in other seasons our lifestyles contradict this statement.

The reason for this change is simple: something or someone else has bumped God’s place of first priority in our hearts.

When something or someone other than God becomes our central priority that thing or person(s) governs how we pursue all other priorities.  We begin to look like the world’s version of womanhood and motherhood instead of the biblical women and mothers God is calling us to be.

The world typically portrays mothers as busy machines without an off-switch.  We are bombarded with images of women who run nonstop pursuing money, ambitions, comfort and security for themselves and their families.  These women rarely rest.  They often rely on prescription drugs, alcohol and other substances to help them cope with their unnatural activity.

Believe it or not many women who serve in ministry roles within their local churches follow a similar pattern.  They pursue various church positions or titles, make huge commitments that demand most of their time and strive to be available to everyone while their own health, homes and families are neglected and lying in ruins.

By the time some of these women reach out for help it’s just too late.  One day they’re fine and the next day they’re lying in bed facing a horrible health diagnosis.  Other women are faced with divorce papers trying to understand what happened to their marriage.  Some women struggle with severe bouts of depression and suicidal thoughts.  In some cases these women end up losing their lives.

God wants you and I to live an abundant yet balanced life and look to Him as the source of true balance.  He created us for close fellowship and relationship with Him.  We were perfectly designed by God to love, serve and please Him above all things which is the recipe for the balanced life.  This pursuit is a continual one that must trump all other pursuits if we desire to live a balanced life.

If you struggle to find balance and always feel overwhelmed in motherhood and life hit the pause button right now.  Take a moment to jot down your priorities in order of importance.  Where is “the pursuit of God” on your list?  Is it even on your list? If your answer is yes and pursuing God is your highest priority then you may just need some rest or to delegate some tasks.  But if your answer is “no” or that it’s just not a top priority then hit the reset button and start over.

Here are some biblical and practical ways to help you get your priorities straight and find balance:

1. Acknowledge your dependence on God.

2. Accept the fact that you cannot do anything apart from Him.

3. Develop a prayerful attitude.  (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

4. Make the most of brief quiet moments.

5. Study and meditate on scripture often.

6. Strive to eat well, hydrate and sleep.

7. Build your own home and tend to your primary ministry (the home front) first.

8. Before you make a plan to do anything pray for godly wisdom and guidance.

9. Seek godly counsel before making a big decision or a major commitment.

10. Learn when to say no and avoid burdening yourself with tasks that don’t align with God’s timing or His plan for your life.

11. Become a good time manager, make the most of everyday and eliminate time wasters.

12. Take regular breaks throughout the day, rest on the Sabbath and recharge.

13. Be humble, delegate tasks and ask for help when needed.

14. Pursue God’s will in everything you do.

15. Live a righteous life by faith.