How to Overcome Discontentment and Have Fulfillment in Motherhood
It is so easy for moms to become overwhelmed with the day-to-day tasks of life. The constant cycle of feeding, preparing meals, and doing laundry can leave you feeling drained, both physically and emotionally. You're constantly pulled in a million different directions, and it's easy to feel like you're never doing enough. You might find yourself feeling discontented with motherhood, wishing you could just have a break. But believe it or not, you can find fulfillment in motherhood. It might not be what you expected, but it's there.
Table of Contents Show
Discontentment: Satan's Trap for Moms
Discontentment is often the root of self-pity, comparison, and frustration. It often leads to distracted parenting and robs us, our spouses, and our children of our best selves. For moms, it can be a source of great stress and anxiety.
It was discontentment that led Eve to be tempted by Satan in the Garden of Eden. He knew that a discontented heart is more prone to entertain temptation, which leads to separation from God. This separation from God becomes the fertile ground in which unwholesome thoughts, doubts, and distractions grow.
Why Overcoming Discontentment Matters
Moms need to overcome discontentment because it can lead to ungratefulness and disobedience to the Word of God. When we are discontent, we are not content with what God has given us.
And just like Eve…
...we are not content with "thus saith the Lord".
...we are not content with God's perfect will for our family.
...we are not content with what we prayed for and now take for granted.
...we are not content with not knowing what only God should know about our future.
...we are not content with loving, living, and parenting in, by, and through faith.
This, mama, is the danger of discontentment.
It causes us to doubt God's perfect will and start desiring Satan's version of perfection. We want more than what God has deemed best for us in our motherhood journey. When we marinate in discontentment long enough, it seasons our thoughts, words, and actions with nothing but bitterness and despondence. We become angry, frustrated, and even bitter.
We may think that our lives would be better if we had more money, a husband that reads our minds better, or children who behaved differently. But discontentment only leads to sin. It distances us from God just as it did to Eve thousands of years ago. It grieves the Holy Spirit and keeps us from being thankful for all that God has blessed us with. Discontentment causes us to view our current situation with a prideful heart and a selfish attitude. The longer we choose to be discontent, the more problems we find to be discontent with. It is an endless cycle.
How to Overcome Discontentment
Overcoming discontentment is not easy, but it is possible with God's help. If you are struggling with discontentment, ask God to help you overcome it. Pray for His strength and wisdom to deal with your problem. Ask Him to help you see your life from His perspective and to be content with what He has given you. Trust Him to work everything out for your good and His glory.
Here are a few Bible verses on contentment:
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28
"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" - Hebrews 13:5
"But godliness with contentment is great gain." - 1 Timothy 6:6
"Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." - Philippians 4:11
Also check out these links:
Why Satan doesn't want you to be fulfilled in motherhood
As a mother, you play a vital role in the lives of your children. You are the gatekeeper of your home, and you have the power to shape their lives for good or for evil. Satan knows that a God-fearing and praying mother who is content and fulfilled in her role as a mama is a force to be reckoned with.
A content and fulfilled mother will fight for her children to know Biblical truth. She will equip her children to be disciples and warriors for God's kingdom. She will do whatever it takes to shepherd their heart in a world full of wolves. She will wake in the early hours of the morning to join her husband in praying for their children. She does this because she knows her children have been entrusted to her by her Heavenly Father. She is well aware that on the day of judgment God the Good Shepherd will say, “What have you done with My flock, My beautiful flock?"
Don't let Satan deceive you into thinking that motherhood is anything less than a joyful, fulfilling calling from God. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, and you have everything you need to fulfill your God-given role as a mom.
You don't need a doctorate or countless degrees, mama! The only degree that matters is your degree of commitment to raising your children in the fear of the Lord.
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6
You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!
Rise up and take your place as a powerful force for good in this world. You can do this by starting in your home. Your children need you now more than ever, mama. Take heart knowing that God has called you to this role and He will equip you for it! As you seek to find your fulfillment in Him, be confident that He will use you to make a difference in the lives of your children and in the world.
How to Be Fulfilled in Motherhood
Discontentment is a common emotion many mothers feel. It can be caused by a number of factors, such as the demands of motherhood, the challenges of juggling homemaking, homeschooling, or simply the daily grind of caring for young children. However, discontentment does not have to be a permanent state.
Here are 7 practical steps you can take to overcome discontentment and find fulfillment in motherhood:
1. Commune with God first thing every morning
For many mothers, the morning is the most chaotic time of the day. There are breakfast dishes to be cleaned, lunches to be prepared, and children to be dressed for the day. In the midst of all this activity, it can be easy to forget to take time for prayer and communion with God. However, spending quiet time with God first thing in the morning is essential for mothers. This crucial time sets the tone for the rest of your day!
Martin Luther once said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.”
I get it. Mothers are rarely without anything to do. This is why moms cannot afford to begin their day without spending time with God, in the Word, and on their knees.
Early morning is the perfect time to surrender the heavy load of worries plaguing your mind so early in the day. Unsurrendered worries are bricks that only get heavier as the day goes on. Surrender your bricks to God, and you will have room to embrace the day's countless possibilities. It is only in Christ that we can be content and fulfilled in motherhood.
"Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in Thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto Thee." - Psalm 143:8
And here's a passage from one of my favorite authors:
“All who are under the training of God need the quiet hour for communion with their own hearts, with nature, and with God.... We must individually hear Him speaking to the heart. When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God. He bids us, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. This is the effectual preparation for all labor for God. Amidst the hurrying throng, and the strain of life’s intense activities, he who is thus refreshed will be surrounded with an atmosphere of light and peace. He will receive a new endowment of both physical and mental strength. His life will breathe out a fragrance, and will reveal a divine power that will reach men’s hearts.”
2. Make prayer your reflex
Praying to God throughout the day is a vital part of Biblical motherhood. Think of prayer as oxygen. You can't survive a day without it! If we keep reacting to day-to-day challenges as we normally do, we won't see positive change in our home and we will fail to reflect the character of Christ!
“Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray, when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence? Without unceasing prayer and diligent watching we are in danger of growing careless and of deviating from the right path. The adversary seeks continually to obstruct the way to the mercy seat, that we may not by earnest supplication and faith obtain grace and power to resist temptation.”
3. Set realistic expectations for yourself
It seems like there is always more to do than there is time in the day. It can be easy for moms to get caught up in trying to do it all and be perfect at everything. However, this is an unrealistic expectation and one that is bound to lead to frustration. Instead, try setting realistic expectations for yourself.
Focus on what you can realistically achieve each day and let go of the rest. It helps to choose 2-3 main tasks to focus on each day. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't strive to be productive and accomplish as much as possible. But it does mean that you need to be realistic about what you can handle and give yourself grace when things don't go according to plan.
4. Pray for a Godly Support System
We all need people in our lives who can help and pray us through the tough times, and that is especially true for Christian moms. Having a godly support system is essential for staying afloat during the chaotic stages of motherhood. Thankfully, the Bible provides us with a blueprint for finding this support in the form of the Titus 2 woman.
"The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things — that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.” - Titus 2:3-5
A Titus 2 woman is tasked with mentoring younger women in the faith. In other words, she is exactly the kind of person you want in your corner when you're feeling overwhelmed. If you don't have a Titus 2 woman in your life, seek out a godly mentor.
Don't try to go it alone - we were never meant to mother in isolation. Surround yourself with godly women who can lift you up and help you become the best mom you can be.
5. Find joy in the little things
It is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and forget what we're doing this for. But if we take a step back and focus on the little things, we can remember what brings us joy in motherhood. For me, it's watching my daughter learn new things and hearing her laugh. Listening to her sing her favorite Bible songs. Taking spontaneous mid-day walks with her on our dirt road and watching her draw shapes with sticks and twigs she picked up along the way.
It's the small moments that make motherhood worthwhile. When you find yourself feeling discontented, take a moment to focus on what brings you joy in motherhood. Remember, mama, these are the good old days. Make them memorable, and make them count — not just for a lifetime but for eternity! Shepherd God's precious little sheep with a joyful heart and your legacy will reap the rewards.
6. Take care of yourself
When it comes to taking care of yourself, health should always be one of your top priorities. After all, without health, everything else in life becomes significantly more difficult. And while there are a multitude of ways to maintain good health, one of the most important is exercise. Regular exercise has been shown to improve mental health, boost immunity, and even increase lifespan.
According to the American Psychological Association, “One theory is that physical activity triggers a release of dopamine and serotonin, which can improve mood. But there are other reasons exercise plays a crucial role in mental well-being. For example, exercise can be particularly helpful for people who deal with anxiety and panic attacks.”
There you go, mama! By taking care of your body through exercise, you're not only improving your own health but also ensuring that you can be there for your loved ones in the long term. So if you're looking for a way to invest in your health, look no further than your own two feet. Start moving today and reap the benefits for years to come.
You could also have your little ones join you, too! Not only will you benefit yourself, but you will also be setting an example for your children! Modeling this will help them understand the importance of taking care of their own health as they grow older. Exercising is one way of loving our family well!
7. Establish healthy boundaries and pursue healthy pursuits
Entertainment has become a huge part of our modern world. But just like food, what we consume through entertainment impacts us! However, it's easy to forget that Satan can use entertainment to dull our senses and make us less sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
For example, romantic movies often make women feel insecure and discontent in their marriage. They start idolizing men who embody the opposite of authentic Biblical masculinity. Reality TV shows make materialism seem like the only way to happiness. Over time, these messages can cause us to think, act, and speak like the rest of the world instead of like Jesus' followers. Prayer is replaced with retail therapy, and instead of raising disciples, they are distracted with keeping up with the Joneses. That is why it's important to be mindful of what we're consuming and to filter it through the lens of God's Word.
Here are a few Bible verses that provide guidance on this matter:
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things." - Philippians 4:8
"I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me." - Psalm 101:2-3
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them." - Ephesians 5:11
"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." - Matthew 6:24
"For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." - Luke 6:43-45
"The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands. He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is perverse in his ways despises Him." - Proverbs 14:1-2
Conclusion
Can we overcome discontentment as mothers? First and foremost, it is important to understand that Satan does not want us to be fulfilled in motherhood. He wants us to feel like we are never good enough, always falling behind, and constantly striving for an unattainable goal. But we can fight against his lies with the truth of God's Word.
Second, let's learn how to be content with what God has given us. True contentment and fulfillment can only be found in Christ. Philippians 4:11-13 says, "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Overcoming discontentment absolutely matters – for our own sake and for the sake of our families and the generations that will live long after we are gone. God will give us victory. It is in Him and Him alone that we can contentment, fulfillment, and joy.
If you're struggling with feelings of discontentment as a mama, please download the free flashcards I created for you with Bible verses on contentment and fulfillment.
[Newsletter Code Goes Here. Enter Section Loader URL below. ↓]
