by Joel Osteen
DEUTERONOMY 1:6, 8 AMP
ENLARGE THE PLACE OF YOUR TENT, AND LET THE CURTAINS OF YOUR HABITATIONS BE STRETCHED OUT; SPARE NOT; LENGTHEN YOUR CORDS AND STRENGTHEN YOUR STAKES, FOR YOU WILL SPREAD ABROAD TO THE RIGHT HAND AND TO THE LEFT.
—ISAIAH 54:2–3 AMP
THE WOMAN WHO CREATES AND SUSTAINS A HOME AND UNDER WHOSE HANDS CHILDREN GROW UP TO BE STRONG AND PURE MEN AND WOMEN, IS A CREATOR SECOND ONLY TO GOD.
—HELEN HUNT JACKSON
THE Power OF AN ATTITUDE of Faith
WHEN YOU ARE LIVING FAVOR-MINDED, the Bible says, God’s blessings and “love chase after me every day of my life” (Psalm 23:6 THE MESSAGE). In other words, you won’t be able to outrun the good things of God. Everywhere you go, things are going to change in your favor. Every time you turn around, somebody’s going to want to do something good for you or someone in your family. Nothing is going to be able to keep you down.
The Bible is replete with examples of people who were in great need, but then the favor of God changed their situations. With the whole earth about to be destroyed by a flood, Noah “found favor” in the sight of God (Genesis 6:8) and built an ark to save his family, the animals, and himself. Practically starving to death, Ruth found “favor” with the owner of the grain field (Ruth 2:10), and eventually she and her mother-in-law’s dire circumstances turned around, and their needs were supplied in abundance. Despite over-whelming adversity in slavery in Egypt, the “favor” of God was upon Joseph (Genesis 39:5–23), and no matter what people did to him, he continued to thrive.
If you will live with an attitude of faith, before long God’s favor is going to show up, and that difficult situation will turn around to your benefit. In less than a year, the Old Testament character Job lost his family, his business, and his health. He lived in perpetual pain. But in the midst of that dark hour, Job said to God, “You have granted me life and favor” ( Job 12:10 NKJV). Amazingly, Job was not delivered, healed, and set free until chapter 42! But at the very beginning, when his circumstances appeared most helpless, Job was saying, “God, I don’t care what the situation looks like or how badly I feel. You are a good God. Your favor is going to turn this situation around.”
No wonder God restored to Job twice what he had before! You may be in a situation with your child that looks impossible, but never give up on God. If you learn to stay in an attitude of faith and declare the favor of God instead of being discouraged and developing a sour attitude, God promises that good things will come to you. One touch of God’s favor can turn everything around in you and your child’s relationship.
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CONSIDER GOD’S WORD IN THE LIGHT OF MOTHERHOOD
Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls—yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
HABAKKUK 3:17–18 NKJV
DEVELOP A Healthy Self-Image
TRUE SELF-ESTEEM CAN BE BASED ONLY ON WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT ME—
NOT ON WHAT I THINK OR FEEL ABOUT MYSELF. I AM WHO GOD SAYS I AM.
GOD COULD NOT BE EVERYWHERE, THEREFORE HE MADE MOTHERS.
—JEWISH PROVERB
GOD SEES You AS A Champion
WHEN THE ANGEL OF THE LORD APPEARED to tell Gideon how God wanted him to save the people of Israel from the Midianites, the first words spoken were, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of [fearless] courage” (Judges 6:12 AMP). Gideon showed his true colors when he replied, “But Lord, how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family” (v. 15).
Sound familiar? So often, we sense God telling us that He has something big for us to do. But because of a poor self-image, we say, “God, I can’t do that. You’ve got to find somebody more qualified. I don’t have what it takes.”
Your self-image is much like a self-portrait; it is who and what you picture yourself to be, which may or may not be an accurate reflection of who you really are. How you feel about yourself will have a tremendous impact on the mother you become, because you will probably speak, act, and react as the person you think you are. The truth is, you will never rise above the image you have of your-self in your mind.
It’s interesting to note the difference between the way Gideon saw himself and the way God rewarded him. Although Gideon felt unqualified, full of fear, and lacking in confidence, God addressed him as a mighty man of fearless courage. Gideon felt weak; God saw him as strong and competent to lead His people into battle and victory.
God wants us to have healthy, positive self-images, to see ourselves as champions. You may feel you’re failing as a mother, but that doesn’t change God’s image of you. You may feel unqualified, weak, and fearful, but God sees you as a victor! He created us in His image, and He is continually shaping us, conforming us to His character, helping us to become even more like the person He is.
Consequently, we must learn to love ourselves, faults and all, not because we are egotists, but because that’s how our heavenly Father loves us. You can walk with confidence knowing that God loves you unconditionally. His love for you is based on what you are, not what you do. He created you as a unique individual—there has never been, nor will there ever be, another person exactly like you, and He sees you as His special masterpiece!
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CONSIDER GOD’S WORD IN THE LIGHT OF MOTHERHOOD
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.
2 CORINTHIANS 12:9
HOME IS THE ONE PLACE IN ALL THIS WORLD WHERE HEARTS ARE SURE OF EACH OTHER. IT IS THE PLACE OF CONFIDENCE. IT IS THE PLACE WHERE WE TEAR OFF THAT MASK OF GUARDED AND SUSPICIOUS COLDNESS WHICH THE WORLD FORCES US TO WEAR IN SELF-DEFENSE . . . IT IS QUITE SIMPLY A PLACE OF LOVE.
—FREDERICK W. ROBERTSON
MY DEAR MOTHER WITH THE TRUTHFULNESS OF A MOTHER’S HEART, MINISTERED TO ALL MY WOES, OUTWARD AND INWARD, AND EVEN AGAINST HOPE KEPT PROPHESYING GOOD.
—THOMAS CARLYLE
BE Strong AND Courageous
TEN OF THE TWELVE HEBREW SPIES sent by Moses into Canaan to check out the opposition came back and said, “It is a land flowing with milk and honey, but there are giants in the land. Moses, we were in our own sight as grasshoppers. They’re too strong. We’ll never defeat them” (Numbers 13). Compared to the giants, the mental image they had of themselves was as small helpless grasshoppers. The battle was lost before it started.
Joshua and Caleb had a totally different report. “Moses, we are well able to possess the land. Yes, there are giants there, but our God is much bigger. Because of Him, we are well able. Let’s go in at once and possess the land.” Faced with the same giants, Joshua and Caleb believed God and refused to see themselves as grasshoppers. Instead, they saw themselves as God’s men, led and empowered by God.
What a tremendous truth! You and I are “well able” people. Not because we are so powerful, but because our God is so powerful. He wants you to be a “can do” person, someone who is willing, ready, and “well able” to do what He commands. God loves to use ordinary people just like you and me, faults and all, to do extraordinary things. Don’t focus on your weaknesses; focus on your God.
You may not feel capable in your own strength as a mother, but that’s okay. God’s Word states: “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV). He expects us to live victoriously. He is not pleased when we mope around with a “poor me” attitude. When you do that, you’re allowing your self-image to be shaped by nonbiblical concepts that are contrary to God’s opinions of you. This sort of poor self-image will keep you from exercising your God-given gifts and authority, and it will rob you from experiencing the abundant life your heavenly F
ather wants you to have as a mom.
You can change the image you have of yourself. Start by agreeing with God. Remember, God sees you as strong and courageous, as a woman of great honor and valor. Quit making excuses and start stepping out in faith, doing what God has called you to do.
Keep going; keep growing. God has much more in store for you!
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CONSIDER GOD’S WORD IN THE LIGHT OF MOTHERHOOD
“If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into thatland, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do notbe afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”
NUMBERS 14:8–9
NOTHING CAN STOP THE [MOM]
WITH THE RIGHT MENTAL ATTITUDE.
—THOMAS JEFFERSON
THE MOMENT A CHILD IS BORN, THE MOTHER IS ALSO BORN. SHE NEVER EXISTED BEFORE. THE WOMAN EXISTED, BUT THE MOTHER, NEVER. A MOTHER IS SOMETHING ABSOLUTELY NEW.
—UNKNOWN
BE THE Original YOU
DARE TO BE HAPPY WITH WHO YOU ARE right now. Many social, physical, and emotional problems stem from the fact that people don’t like themselves. They are uncomfortable with how they look, how they talk, or how they act. They don’t like their personality. They are always comparing themselves with other people, wishing they were something different.
You were not created to mimic somebody else. You were created to be you. You can be happy with who God made you to be, and quit wishing you were something different. If God had wanted you to look like the perfect PTA mother, He would have made you look like her. If God had wanted you to have a different personality, He would have given you that personality. When you go around trying to be like somebody else, not only does it demean you, it steals your uniqueness.
An important factor in seeing yourself God’s way is to understand your intrinsic sense of value. Your sense of value cannot be based on your successes or failures, how your children treat you, or how popular you are. It is not something we earn; indeed, we cannot earn it. God built value into us when He created us. As His unique creation, you have something to offer your family and this world that nobody else has, that nobody else can be. Your sense of value should be based solely on the fact that you are a child of the Most High God.
The Scripture says “we are God’s workmanship” (Ephesians 2:10). The word workmanship implies that you are a “work in progress.” Throughout our lives, God is continually shaping us into the people He wants us to be. The key to future success is to not be discouraged about your past or present while you are in the process of being “completed.”
God doesn’t want a bunch of clones. He likes variety, and you should not let people pressure you or make you feel badly about yourself because you don’t fit their image of who you should be. Be an original, not a copycat. Be secure in who God made you to be and then go out and be the best mom you can be. Even if everybody else rejects you, remember, God stands before you with His arms open wide. Learn to be happy with who God made you.
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CONSIDER GOD’S WORD IN THE LIGHT OF MOTHERHOOD
And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.
PHILIPPIANS 1:6 AMP
MY MOTHER IS A WOMAN WHO SPEAKS WITH HER LIFE.
—KESAYA E. NODA
YOU WILL FIND, AS YOU LOOK BACK UPON YOUR LIFE, THAT THE MOMENTS WHEN YOU HAVE REALLY LIVED ARE THE MOMENTS WHEN YOU HAVE DONE THINGS IN THE SPIRIT OF LOVE.
—HENRY DRUMMOND
Become WHAT YOU Believe
THERE IS A FASCINATING ACCOUNT of two blind men who heard that Jesus was passing by, and faith began to rise in their hearts. They must have thought, We don’t have to stay like this.There’s hope for a better future. So they began to cry out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” (Matthew 9:27).
When Jesus heard their cries, He posed an intriguing question, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” (v. 28 NASB). Jesus wanted to know whether they had genuine faith. The blind men answered, “Yes, Lord; we believe.” Then the Bible says, “[Jesus] touched their eyes and said, ‘Become what you believe’ ” (THE MESSAGE). What a powerful statement about their faith! You will become what you believe!
So what are you believing? Are you believing to rise above your obstacles, that your family can live in health, abundance, healing, and victory? One of the most important aspects of seeing ourselves God’s way involves developing a prosperous mind-set. Understand, God has already equipped you with everything you need to live a prosperous life and to fulfill your God-given destiny. He planted “seeds” inside you filled with possibilities, incredible potential, creative ideas, and dreams. But you have to start tapping into them. You’ve got to believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that you have what it takes.
God created you to excel, and He’s given you ability, insight, talent, wisdom, and His supernatural power to do so. You don’t have to figure out how God is going to solve your problems or bring it to pass. That’s His responsibility. Your job is to believe. What you believe has a much greater impact on your life than what anybody else believes.
For instance, the Bible says, “We are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). It doesn’t say we will become conquerors; it says we are more than conquerors right now. If you will start acting like it, talking like it, seeing yourself as more than a conqueror, you will live a prosperous and victorious life. Start looking through eyes of faith. You may be living in poverty at the moment, but don’t ever let poverty live in you. The Bible shows that God takes pleasure in prospering His children. As His children prosper spiritually, physically, and materially, their increase brings God pleasure.
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CONSIDER GOD’S WORD IN THE LIGHT OF MOTHERHOOD
Let the Lord be magnified, Who takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.
PSALM 35:27 AMP
DISCOVER THE POWER Of Your Thoughts and Words
KEEP YOUR MIND SET ON THE REALITY THAT GOD IS A MIRACLE-WORKING GOD.
START TALKING TO YOUR MOUNTAINS ABOUT HOW BIG YOUR GOD IS!
A MOTHER’S HAPPINESS IS LIKE A BEACON, LIGHTING UP THE FUTURE BUT REFLECTED ALSO ON THE PAST IN THE GUISE OF FOND MEMORIES.
—HONORÉ DE BALZAC
Success BEGINS IN THE MIND
WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE AWARE OF IT, a war is raging all around you, and the battle is for your mind. Your enemy’s number-one target is the arena of your thoughts. If he can control how you think, he’ll be able to control your entire life. King Solomon stated it this way: “As [a man] thinks within himself, so he is” (Proverbs 23:7 NASB).
Indeed, thoughts determine actions, attitudes, and self-image. Really, thoughts determine destiny, which is why the Bible warns us to guard our minds. Almost like a magnet, we draw in what we constantly think about. If we dwell on depressing, negative thoughts, we will be depressed and negative. If we think positive, happy, joyful thoughts, our life will reflect that and attract other upbeat, positive people. Our life follows our thoughts.
And our thoughts also affect our emotions. We will feel exactly the way we think. You cannot expect to feel happy unless you think happy thoughts. Conversely, it’s impossible to remain discouraged unless you first think discouraging thoughts. So much of success and failure in life begins in our minds.
To win the victory in your mind, you can’t sit back passively and expect this new person to suddenly appear. If you don’t think you can be successful with your children, you never will be. When you think thoughts of mediocrity, you are destined to live an average life. But when you align your thoughts with God’s thoughts and you start dwelling on the promises of His Wo
rd, when you constantly dwell on thoughts of His victory and favor, you will be propelled toward greatness, inevitably bound for increase and God’s supernatural blessings.
Every day, when you first get up, set your mind for success. Choose to dwell on the promises of God’s Word. Begin by agreeing with the psalmist, “This is the day the Lord has made, and I’m going to be happy. This is going to be a great day with our family.” Magnify your God, and go out each day expecting good things.
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CONSIDER GOD’S WORD IN THE LIGHT OF MOTHERHOOD
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
ISAIAH 26:3
A LITTLE GIRL, ASKED WHERE HER HOME WAS, REPLIED, “WHERE MOTHER IS.”
—KEITH L. BROOKS
FOR WHEN YOU LOOKED INTO MY MOTHER’S EYES YOU KNEW, AS IF HE HAD TOLD YOU, WHY GOD SENT HER INTO THE WORLD—IT WAS TO OPEN THE MINDS OF ALL WHO LOOKED TO BEAUTIFUL THOUGHTS.
—SIR JAMES M. BARRIE
THINK ABOUT Your Thinking
LIFE IS TOUGH, and the demands on mothers can be over-whelming. We all get knocked down occasionally and get discouraged, but we need not remain there. We can choose our thoughts. Nobody can make us think a certain way. If you’re not happy, nobody is forcing you to be unhappy. If you’re negative and have a bad attitude toward your husband and children, nobody’s coercing you to be sarcastic or sullen. You decide what you will entertain in your mind.
Simply because the enemy plants a negative, discouraging thought in your brain doesn’t mean you have to nurture and help it grow. If you do, though, that thought will affect your emotions, your attitudes, and eventually your actions. You will be much more prone to discouragement and depression, and if you continue pondering that negative thought, it will sap the energy and strength right out of you.