Are you an exhausted mama looking for some encouragement? Join the club! I originally posted this on 3/19/16, and due to its popularity, I decided to update it. You can find a printable reference sheet for these Bible verses and many more in my collection of resources for Christian moms, which you can access by clicking below. Enjoy!
This past week kicked my butt a little bit. Normally I don’t publish a new post on a Saturday, but well, here you go. It’s just part of the season I’m in right now. As are many of you.
While I’m not up at all hours of the night breastfeeding anymore, I remember all too well what that was like. And mastitis. Then croup. Stomach bugs. Crazy rashes. Even when the kids aren’t sick, there are project deadlines. Too many appointments. Potty training. A messy house. Little people to feed constantly. Family drama. Friend drama. Work piling up. Loneliness.
Us mamas be tired! EXHAUSTED!
I woke up Friday morning planning to go pray and work out. Nope. Not happening. My son, who had been vomiting all day the previous day, crawled into bed with me and I stroked his hair. Soon I had all three kids on top of me, squirming and competing with one another for the most comfy spot.
And while I wasn’t doing anything I had planned, and my daughter smelled of wet overnight diaper and little feet were not-so-gently jabbing my ribs, I decided to relish in that moment.
We mamas do holy work, you know. We need to remember that in the most mundane or even ugly moments, we are doing what is good. It’s inspiration in the everyday.
Related: Wiping Noses for Jesus Is Legit
It took me about seven hours to feel awake, but I finally got to sit down and think about what encourages me when I’m feeling completely wiped out. I flipped through my falling-apart Bible, the one with bent pages and the out-of-date translation, and found my favorite Bible verses. The ones with smudged ink and lopsided stars and long sections underlined.
These Bible verses have been a breath of fresh air to me during tired times, and I hope they are to you too. All verses are from the NIV.
Verses on Finding Rest
Matthew 11:28–29
Come to me [Jesus], 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.
Rest starts with turning to Jesus.
Isaiah 40:30–31
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
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.
God is like a mother eagle who takes me on her wings and teaches me to fly.
Psalm 62:5–6
Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
Repeat: I will not be shaken.
Related: 10 Encouraging Bible Verses for the Overwhelmed Mama
Verses on Perseverance
James 1:2–4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
A rough day? I must be growing.
Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
When I feel like I’m sacrificing everything? I am worshiping God.
Romans 5:3–5
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Yep I’m growing. And there’s hope.
2 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
And each day is a new one, amen.
Related: To the Mom in Survival Mode: You’re Stronger Than You Think
Verses on Finding Strength
2 Corinthians 12:9–10
But [God] 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. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
My times of weakness are when God’s strength shines through.
Philippians 4:4–7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Prayer. And the peace of God.
Hebrews 6:10
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
God sees when I’m changing diapers and cleaning up vomit and cooking meal after meal. And he won’t forget.
Psalm 46:10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
To be still is to stop stressing. Because God is God.
Want to keep these Bible verses handy? You can now download them in a printable form! Just click below:
What are your go-to scriptures when you’re feeling exhausted?
PS You might also enjoy this post from my friend Jenn: 10 Bible Verses about How God is For Us
Thank you for listing these scriptures! One of my favorites is Isaiah 40:11 “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.” It reminds me to be gentle with myself and others, but to still lead and not get lost in the sea of exhaustion that can come with having young children.
That’s another great one, thank you!
I just came across this blog article on Pinterest. It’s 6:30am here and I’ve been up for the past 6 hours nursing my 5 week old boy. I’m a first time mum and this piece could not have come across my path at a better time!
I’ve sooooo been there! Hang in there!
Beautiful. Have typed in parenting encouragement in Pinterest on more than one occasion as chaos is swirling around me (mama to 4 young kids) and have read this post many times. Gods word is so powerful and encouraging. Thank you for u for posting
Oh that’s so encouraging to know Beca, thank you! I come back to these scriptures all the time too. Keep fighting 😉
I just want to say thank you, so much. I made a commitment to take in 3 children with my boyfriend (they are his 2 nephews and his niece, 19mo, 11yrs and 8yrs). We are both 29 with no children of our own. I am blessed beyond measure to have them in our lives. But I am completely exhausted, and overwhelmed. We have had them for 6 months so far and some days I feel like I just can’t do it. But I know it’s what God wanted us to do. I am saving this and I’m going to read these verses every day that I feel overwhelmed. Thank you!
Wow, that’s a big commitment! Hang in there, I’m glad this helped
Do not grow weary in doing good for at the right time you will reap a harvest.
My children are 10 & 8. I have up my career to support my husband when he took up an overseas post.
This verse reminds me that my sacrifice will one day bring in a.huge harvest.
I like when you said when we sacrifice as mothers we are worshipping God.
Thanks for sharing.
Amen, friend.
Thanks for sharing and reminding me there is rest for the weary and that we aren’t alone ☺️
Absolutely! Thanks for commenting 🙂
I don’t even know where to begin I describing how much I needed this and how I feel GOD ever so present, like really strong lately. I feel like HE is letting me know HE hears me and through really great people like you, I get messages that are SO VERY pertinent to what I am going through right now. Thank you so much for this! Sometimes I get so overwhelmed and feel like a bad mama when I am frustrated or raising my voice at my 3 1/2 year old and STILL praying for another. But I know LOVE will always prevail and I am grateful for you and you sharing the bible verses and your perspective. So nice to know you’re not alone. Thank you so much!!
Based on the response I have gotten to this and other posts, we are definitely not alone! Thanks for your encouraging words
These passages are so helpful. Before I finished reading the post, I took out my Bible, and highlighted two of the passages that are now such a good source of encouragement for me for when I need it. Thank you.
This is lovely. God bless you, Mama!
Thank you <3
Thanks for this great post! My youngest is in a phase where he’s waking up at 3:30 most mornings, and though he goes back to sleep quite nicely, I don’t seem to be able to. Thanks for reminding me to turn to scripture in the “extra” time I find myself with in the wee hours.
Thanks Brianna! We all go through periods of exhaustion…which is why it’s so encouraging that God knows and understands and has tons of wisdom for us in his word.