Mama Blues was a frequent guest in my house.
As an emotional person, I always had room for her in all seasons of mothering. At first, I thought it was okay that Mama Blues hung out with me. First time I met Mama B, it was with baby #1. Caring for a child for the first time was an enormous challenge and a totally a new thing for me.
Even though I was so happy to have a baby (after years of praying), I found myself suddenly hit by an overwhelming feeling of sadness and frustration.
There were days I would cry out feeling helpless, ugly and worthless — flooded with negative emotions that made me feel insecure, unloved, and hurt.
(Hello, Mama B, nice to meet you.)
When I became a mother of two, then became pregnant with baby #3 (our first baby boy) but suffered a miscarriage at 20 weeks, Mama Blues was fast becoming a permanent guest — a comfortable guest who was now occupying my living space.
When we found out we were going to have our youngest, Hezekiah, a few years later, we were excited to finally have another baby boy. But, to our surprise, Heze was diagnosed with Down Syndrome and a heart condition during my first trimester.
Mama B was now sitting comfortably on our couch, eating with us at every meal and even showing up whenever I played with my kids — how did this happen? And why was she now almost like a member of the family?
How can I, a Bible-believing, faith-walking Christian for decades now, suddenly feel so helpless in the face of this unwanted guest?
In my heart, I knew this was not God’s plan for me but why was there still such an undeniable weight that had now found a cozy spot on my shoulders?
Why couldn’t I “shake” the blues away?
I know that, to a large degree, postpartum hormones and lack of sleep both play major roles in our moods after giving birth, but as Christians, it’s also important to remember that a spiritual battle is also happening.
And that oftentimes “fighting the blues” means giving up.
Giving up control (over our lives and our children) and giving it up to the One who gave us our lives and kids in the first place.
I have prayed these verses over and over in my life everytime I needed God’s help to drive away the Mama Blues.
There are many more verses in the word of God but here are five that have really spoken to my mama heart and have helped me break through the darkness and brought me joy again.
I’ve included a few simple prayers I’ve prayed through my darkest moments, I hope these will speak to the mama in you, too.
1. Psalm 94:19 NIV
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”
Dear Lord,
There are too many things I constantly worry about that are beyond my control. Please calm my soul and give me wisdom to rest and relax. Life is difficult right now but please give me joy in the little victories I see. When anxiety is becoming great in my life, please help me see beyond the struggles. Please give me back the joy of seeing my beautiful children: who they are now and what they will become in the future. Thank you that the joy that comes from You is becoming my strength for today, Amen.
2. Psalm 23:4
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me.”
Dear Lord,
I worry about my future and my kids’ futures. I worry about the world and everything that’s going on around me. This pandemic made it worse. But thank you, Lord, for You are with me and my family even in our darkest valleys. I know I don’t have to be afraid because You are with me and that You’re always watching over us. Thank you for Your protection. Thank you for Your comfort and grace. Amen.
3. Corinthians 12:9 NIV
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Dear Lord,
Thank you that You are my help. Even in my weakness, You are strong in my life. I cannot do everything else in a day or even in a lifetime, But I thank you for your sufficient grace that sustains me every day. Please give me the strength to overcome my weakness. Please help me see that even when I am weak and overwhelmed, your strength sustains me. Amen.
4. Isaiah 40:31 NIV
“…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”
Dear Lord,
I know You have given me strength as a mom to handle all the demands of life. Please give me supernatural strength to manage my household well. Many times I really get tired and exhausted. I want to throw in the towel (but I can’t because I know I have to wash it after). Please help me run and not grow weary. Please help me walk and not be faint. Thank you that You will sustain me. Amen.
5. Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Dear Jesus,
That’s me – tired, weary and burdened. There is so much to do for the day and I feel I have not done anything. I am too exhausted, Lord, to even think and plan what’s ahead. I come to you today asking for rest! Please give me rest for my soul. Replace my burdens with Your strength. Thank you that You will take care of me and my family. Amen.
Yes, every mother will agree that motherhood is challenging and stressful, but it’s reassuring to know that God is for us and wants us to enjoy and live our lives to the fullest.
Dear Mamas, my hope is that these verses and simple prayers will help jumpstart your way out of the Mama Blues — the way that they did for this overwhelmed mama, if not more.
May you live the abundant life that God has in store for you. Even though we have things to do, plans to make and mountains of responsibilities to accomplish, by God’s grace we will overcome.
