God's Words of Life for Mothers

God’s Words of Life on
Anger

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

James 1:19–20

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.

Ephesians 4:26

Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

Proverbs 17:14

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15:1

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.

Ecclesiastes 7:9

Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.

Proverbs 16:32

The one who is patient calms a quarrel.

Proverbs 15:18

I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.

1 Timothy 2:8

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

1 Corinthians 13:4–5

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever.

Psalm 103:8–9

Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.

Galatians 6:4

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 4:32–5:2

“I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. . . . Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”

Matthew 5:22–24

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.

Micah 7:18

Devotional Thought on Anger

Is it possible to be good, and angry? We may assume the answer is no. The “good” moms we watch either don’t get angry or they don’t let us know they’re angry. Watching such folks can leave us frustrated and guilt-ridden regarding our own tempers.

Paul writes to those of us who struggle with anger in Ephesians 4:26: “In your anger. . . .” This little phrase packs a punch because it acknowledges that it’s impossible to completely avoid anger. God’s inspired Word recognizes that anger is an inevitable human emotion.

But then Paul ties this little phrase to a command: “Do not sin.” When we acknowledge our anger, we can face it without fear. We can take a time-out until we gain control. We can express our feelings in careful words and take personal ownership of the emotion.

What should you do with anger? First, accept its inevitability. Second, don’t deny it. Use your anger constructively to change situations without destroying people. Be angry, but don’t sin. Then you’ll be good, and angry.

God’s Words of Life on
Asking for Help

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Luke 11:9–10

This is what the Lord says, . . . “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

Jeremiah 33:2–3

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Joel 2:32

“Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

Psalm 50:15

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.

Psalm 145:18–19

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10

Moses’ father-in- law replied, “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. . . . Select capable men from all the people . . . and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.” Moses listened to his father-in- law and did everything he said.

Exodus 18:17–18, 21–24

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

Isaiah 40:11

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. . . . I called for help, and you listened to my cry.

Jonah 2:2

Devotional Thought on Asking for Help

Carol Kuykendall and Elisa Morgan surveyed one thousand moms about their needs. To the question, “What do you need most, Mom?” the women responded:

A nanny
A housekeeper
A secretary
Another set of arms
To get organized
Help

We can easily blurt out confessions like these, but when it comes to everyday life, most of us have a tough time actually asking for help. Griping seems to come more easily!

Perhaps we feel that asking for help is a sign of weakness. Or maybe we feel guilty—moms are “supposed to” be able to fix whatever is broken or hurt and do it better than anyone else.

The toughest—but most important—question we may ever have to ask is, “Will you help me?” Moses couldn’t handle all the needs of the Israelites alone; why do we think we can handle all the needs of those around us without help? Mom, swallow hard and seek the help you need.