During my first pregnancy, a co-worker came up to me and said “there is so much less to worry about when they are still inside and you can keep them close”. I will always remember how I felt after she said that. As much as I tried not to, I was already wrestling with worry every day. Was she saying that there would be more worry to come? That this worry was nothing in comparison? I wondered how to worry less as a mom.
Here’s the thing sweet friend, worry hovers over every part of motherhood. From the moment the line shows positive to beyond. We cannot always help the worries that find their way in but I do believe that we can simplify the weight of those worries.
Here are 7 ways how to worry less as a Mom:
1. Know where to put your worries
Matthew 11:28 says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
If you’ve ever gone portaging, you know how heavy your gear can get. Especially when you’ve been hiking for hours. Imagine if someone came up alongside the path and offered to carry it for you. Would you insist that you can do it on your own even though your legs feel like they could give out? Or would you humbly take them up on their offer and rest in the weight falling off of your shoulders?
I know how hard it is to give up worry – especially if you’re like me and have a hard time “burdening” others. There is no such thing as burdening God. He never intended for us to carry worry on our own. He wants us to live a life free from worry. We can go to him with our worries, both big and small, in prayer and He will carry them for us.
2. God cares for your child more than you!
It’s hard to imagine, right? God loves your child more than even you ever could. This truth helps me worry less because I know I can always count on Him. Let God care for you by taking the worry. Let God care for your children because He loves them infinitely more than you could ever know.
1 Peter 5:7 says, "Cast your cares on the Lord because He cares for you".
3. Get off the worry wheel
None of us are perfect. We are all guilty of causing worry without meaning to. There are no shortage of Mom stories and unsolicited advice to go around. Try to find your exit strategy if you find yourself going around and around again on the worry wheel while conversing with others. This can be as simple as changing the topic or internally proclaiming: this opinion is based on their own life experience not mine. I have learned that sometimes I need to hold back what I share, not because I don’t want to be open and vulnerable, but because getting caught up in worry wheel is hard to escape from (and my spinning out can also cause unnecessary worry to someone else).
4. Set boundaries on social media
Social media can fuel worry as a Mom. I wrote a snippet about my history with social media here. I have learned to be careful not to let social media get the best of me. Social media can be an amazing source of inspiration and community but it can also stir up worry you do not need. Don’t hesitate to step away (especially in the seasons that feel extra heavy). Lean into your support system outside of social media – the ones that are in it with you, know you and can help build you up!
5. Hug your little ones
Hug them close. When your worries come, squeeze them. Talk to them. Pull them in tight. Rub your belly. Holding our children is medicine for the worried soul! Try it!
6. Only take on today
As Matthew 6:34 says, "do no worry about tomorrow".
Be here, right now. Are there worries to come? Yup. Is there anything you can do about those worries today? Nope. We do not do ourselves or our children any good by worrying about tomorrow (preaching to myself here, too!).
7. Give grace in the process
Giving over worry is a process. Even as I type this, I am reminding myself to lay ALL of my worries down (including those little ones I let sneak in). Worry is a powerful thing. But you know what’s more powerful? The ability God has given us to overcome! We will be learning, and relearning, to give over our worries for the rest of our days. I hope you know that you are never alone. Every Mama walks the worry road – it’s what we decide to do with the worry that matters.
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Always cheering you on!
