The Anxieties of Motherhood

​My son was a mere six weeks old when I had to rush him to the emergency room.
 
Earlier that week, he had been diagnosed with reflux. However, after a few days of medication, he still wasn’t showing signs of improvement. My husband had been born with a hereditary condition where a muscle at the bottom of your stomach thickens, not allowing anything to pass through to the intestines. It occurred to me this might be what was causing my son’s endless spit-up. I mentioned it to the doctors, who promptly ordered an ultrasound.
 
The following day I got a call that our appointment had to be rescheduled. I started feeling pretty anxious about the whole ordeal. If my son, indeed, had inherited my husband’s condition, I knew the longer we waited the worse it would get. My 6-week-old preemie couldn't afford to lose any weight.

That’s how I found myself in the ER, just my son and myself. My mind became filled with the anxiety of “what if...”
 
What if my baby boy needs emergency surgery?
What if my husband can’t make it to the hospital in time?
What if something goes wrong?
 
As moms, it’s easy to become anxious when it comes to our kids. Having a piece of ourselves running around outside of our control is not for the faint of heart. Yes, us mamas have worried about our babies since the beginning of time. Even Jesus’s mom, Mary, showed signs of anxiety. The first time the Bible mentions Mary’s worry was when she discovered He was missing, after visiting Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. She had assumed he was in their large traveling caravan— when they got home she discovered she was wrong.
 
Mary and Joseph made the long trek back to Jerusalem, in search of their young child. After THREE days they finally found him in the Temple. The Temple! When Mary saw him, she asked  “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” (Luke 2:48).
 
Though Mary had moments of anxiety, she had learned to trust 100% in God. Remember when the angel told her, as a virgin, she would become pregnant and give birth to the expected Messiah? She responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” It would have been easy for Mary to become anxious, but she chose to believe the promises of God.
 
As followers of Christ, there will be times when we become anxious. The good news, friends, is that we don’t have to be slaves to our feelings. In times of stress, we can look to God’s promises. We can remind ourselves that the God we serve is full of unfailing love and faithfulness. I love our memory verse this week, in which Paul says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” The answer to our anxiety is being honest about it, and releasing our situations to God.
 
That day in the ER, the doctor confirmed my worst fears: my son did have to go under the knife that day. I sat there in tears. Even in that valley, God orchestrated the timing, the doctors, the nurses, and every detail with precision. My son was made well, and was able to receive the nutrients he needed.
 
I love the rhetorical question Jesus asks, in Luke 12:25, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” The obvious answer is none of us can.
 
Worry is our attempt to control what only God can. The only change it produces is stunting our growth in Him.
 
Whatever you are anxious about today—whether it be your job, kids, health, or finances— admit your need, and release it to Him. When anxiety rears its ugly head, again and again, keep taking it to the One Who is in control, and growing your trust in Him.

​Memory Verse: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

About the Author

Hi! I’m Tara McGill. I am a wife to my amazing husband Jay. We live in the great state of Georgia where we raise our two children, Jayden (4) and Brooks (2). I enjoy spending quality time with my family and traveling. I am passionate about sharing Jesus and connecting women with other women who are also passionate about Jesus.

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