Joyful, Hopeful, Patient
- Lori Ogilbee
- Dec 19, 2024
- 2 min read
“When a toddler throws a tantrum or a teenager questions your wisdom, patience helps you respond with love.”
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” Romans 12:12 NIV
Motherhood is one of life’s most fulfilling and demanding callings. It’s a journey filled with joyful milestones—first steps, heartfelt laughter, and precious “I love yous.” But it’s also accompanied by moments that test your patience—sleepless nights, temper tantrums, and endless piles of laundry. In Romans, Paul offers a timeless truth that mothers can cling to—be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.
Patience isn’t just about waiting for the good moments to come, it’s about enduring the hard ones with grace. When a toddler throws a tantrum or a teenager questions your wisdom, patience helps you respond with love. It’s in these moments that God molds your character, teaching you to rely on His strength rather than your own. Trust me here, mamas, you don’t have enough on your own!
Romans 12:12 reminds us that patience is not passive, rather it’s active trust in God’s timing. Motherhood is a season where afflictions can feel overwhelming, but patience rooted in faith reminds us that God is at work in our children and in us.
As mothers, we hope for our children’s future—hoping they grow to be kind, successful, and faithful. This hope can bring joy even during tough times because we trust God’s promises over their lives. When you’re patient in the face of challenges, you show your children that waiting on the Lord brings peace and strength.
The foundation of patience is prayer. When you bring your struggles, joys, and even your frustrations to God, He renews your spirit. Prayer is not just a way to ask for help; it’s a lifeline that keeps you grounded in God’s presence. Through prayer, you can ask for the patience to parent with love and wisdom.
Action Steps:
Ask yourself some basic questions today
How can I practice patience in moments of frustration with my children?
Do I find joy in the hope that God is working in my family’s life?
Am I being intentional about praying for patience and guidance as a mother?
Lord, thank You for the gift of motherhood and the lessons it teaches me. Help me to be patient in moments of difficulty, trusting that You are with me in every step of this journey. Teach me to find joy in hope, even when the days are hard, and to remain faithful in prayer as I guide my children closer to You. Fill me with Your love, grace, and peace so that I may reflect You to my family. Amen.
Written by Lori, mom of 2