If you think of the times that you have been sinful in response to your circumstances or to people, it has most likely been in times when you have been tired, sick, hungry or stressed; or maybe a combination of any of these. I know that is the case for me. I know that I have to be particularly diligent to watch my heart and responses on the days that I don't feel well or have more to accomplish than I have hours.
These last few weeks have been no different. In fact, they have been all the more challenging. As many of you already know, being a new mom means to always be exhausted. Each day around 3 P.M. I think, " I can't wait to go to bed and get a good night's rest." When I quickly remember it is unlikely that there will be a good night's rest for me. It is in such moments I must remember I certainly am not the first woman to be deprived of sleep or to walk through the first days (weeks is probably more accurate) of motherhood as a zombie. And, as much as I would like to use my tiredness as a reasonable excuse to sin, my mind recalls I Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it."
I know that this period of exhaustion is my current temptation for sin. But I also know that it has been given to me as an opportunity for sanctification. So, I press on and trust, as the verse says, that I am not experiencing something uncommon and that I won't be tempted beyond what I can handle because God is faithful to give me a way to escape and endure. I don't have to sin amidst my exhaustion; I can choose righteousness instead! There is much hope derived from God's word for me. In light of this hope, I will continue to trust the Lord in this challenge and to submit myself to the process of sanctification so that I might be a better reflection of Christ and an example to my son in the days to come.
What a wonderful exhortation and testimony!
ReplyDeleteAmen!! Thank you for sharing your thoughts... definitely praying for you, and all of us in these things!
ReplyDeleteI hear you, sister!
ReplyDeleteI think most of us parents eventually arrive at a different definition of "a good night's sleep."
Praying that you get several hours of sleep and a couple good power naps!
I read this the other day but didn't have a chance to comment. The very next day was ... ahem ... "rough" with the kids. The baby has decided that sleeping at night is highly overrated, so sleep is something of a (very) distant memory for me ... and patience is NOT one of my strong points on a good day, much less after MONTHS of severe sleep deprivation.
ReplyDeleteYour post has come to mind A LOT the last few days as a reminder to me to make good choices, even in my utter and overwhelming exhaustion.
Thanks for sharing, Jenn!