“The hope of surviving this season and reaching the next isn’t enough. Every season of motherhood will offer new challenges. If you focus on just surviving until the next season, you will be caught in a cycle of constant disappointment. No season of motherhood will be easy enough, blessed enough, or fulfilling enough to satisfy your soul.”

“It will get easier.”

“You’re doing the hardest job in the world, but it’s a noble calling.”

If you’re a mom, you’ve heard these words, and encouragements like them, over and over. Motherhood forces change, and change is painful. It requires hope that something valuable is waiting on the other side. Thankfully, God created women to be helpers. We listen to each other’s struggles, and we’re wired to offer hope to hurting hearts.

But moms tend to put their hopes in long (okay, short) naps, obedient children, clean homes, successful goals, and ever-elusive alone time. These transient hopes may encourage for a moment, but they crumble at the first sign of pressure. Motherhood is a physical, emotional, and spiritual battleground; unfortunately, it has become all too common in Christian communities to offer moms failing and finite hopes to fight their battles, instead of the steadfast hope of the gospel.

Whether you’re preaching hope to your own heart or encouraging a friend, little hopes are not enough to equip you for motherhood. Motherhood will change every aspect of your life; your hope, then, must be anchored to something steady and sure. Here are some do’s and don’ts to make sure you’re grounded in Jesus Christ.

DON’T expect to find daily strength through physical gifts: You cannot put your ultimate hope in well-rested children, exercise, healthy eating, naps (for kids or moms), or an uninterrupted night’s sleep. Ask any mom; there are too many days when some—or all—of these good physical blessings never happen.

DO put your soul at rest in God alone: Instead of hoping for circumstances to meet your physical needs, rely on the manna of God’s Word for the strength you need. Your heavenly Father knows exactly how to meet your physical needs. He equips you for life and godliness, no matter your circumstances. Even when your body is exhausted, your soul can be at rest (Ps. 62:1).

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