Parenting comes with many challenges. We are raising little human beings who are trying to figure out this world around them, how to handle all the emotions they are feeling, and who they are. Sometimes, emotions are running high and things can get a bit tense. Days like the latter, I need wisdom, to control my anger, and give forgiveness freely.
In addition to prayer, God has given us written word to guide us. Now, I can certainly flip through the pages of my Bible to read what God has said, but in the middle of a “battle” with my toddler, having scripture memorized is going to help me react appropriately in the moment. Psalm 119:11 (NIV) says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” When we let our emotions get the better of us, we can certainly sin against God. Hiding His word in our hearts and being able to quickly recall it in the moment will help us to not only react more appropriately to the situation, but also help us to not sin against God.
Now, I’m not saying that I’ve got this mastered. I’m just a mom trying to raise her kids and follow Christ. And in that effort, I’m trying to figure out the best way to do that for me and share with other moms in hopes that it helps you too. There are many more verses on these subjects, but these were the ones that I thought would help to realign my thoughts with God’s in the heat of the moment.
Wisdom
There are so many decisions to make in parenting that require me to have wisdom. Is this a battle worth fighting? What route for education should we take? We have some serious medical decisions to make – what should we do? What should I say to my child who is going through a tough situation right now?
Some decisions we need wisdom on, we have time to pray for & listen for God’s direction. Others may have to be made more quickly. These verses may not give you your answer, but will help to remind you to seek God’s wisdom in your decision making.
My mouth shall speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart shall give understanding.
– Psalm 49:3 NKJV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
– Proverbs 3:5 NIV
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
– Proverbs 11:2 NIV
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, And humility comes before honor.
– Proverbs 15:33 NIV
A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
– Proverbs 19:11 NIV
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
-James 1:5 NLT
Anger
Our kids sure know how to push our buttons, don’t they? When we run out of patience and allow it to turn to anger, we don’t always make the best decisions or react properly. We need to find a way to remember to let go of our anger and calm down. The perfect way to do that is to memorize scripture to meditate on when we find ourselves giving into our anger.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret- it only causes harm.
– Psalm 37:8 NKJV
A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.
– Proverbs 15:18 NLT
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
-James 1:19-20 NIV
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in training and instruction of the Lord.
-Ephesians 6:4 NIV
The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
– James 3:6 NIV
Forgiveness
Let’s face it, as much as we wish we were, we are NOT perfect parents. That doesn’t mean that we aren’t crushing this mom thing, but we don’t always do the right thing. There have been times where I didn’t always react to my son’s behavior in the right way and had to come back and apologize to him. There are other times when I have to forgive my son. Forgiveness is a huge part of parenting. It’s not always to ask for or to give. There are moments when it hits me though that God continually forgives me when I ask for forgiveness so shouldn’t I extend that to not only to my children, but to everyone?
As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
– Psalm 103:12 NKJV
If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
– Matthew 6:14-15 NLT
Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied,” but seventy times seven!”
– Matthew 18: 21-22 NIV
“Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much, But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”
– Luke 7:47 NKJV
Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.
– Luke 11:4 NIV
These verses just scratch the surface of what the Bible says on these subjects, but I hope that they give you a place to start hiding His word in your heart and keep your eyes fixed on Him. l encourage you to read the chapter these verses and others come from. I would never want a verse to be taken out of context and misconstrued. It is important to know what was being said around a verse as you memorize it and store it away. I hope these verses help you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus through the struggles of motherhood.
Do you have a favorite verse you’ve memorized to help you with wisdom, anger, or forgiveness? Share it in the comments below. You never know who you may help by doing so!
