Combatting "Mom Guilt" with Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Sometimes this verse can feel incredibly distant with the overwhelming daily demands that seem to swamp our lives. But when we consider who God was speaking to in this verse and the situation at hand, we might feel a little closer to this verse, personally.

God spoke these words to the Israelites while they were exiles living in Babylon. They were probably feeling abandoned, lost, and completely hopeless when God breathed these words of new life into their souls. The Lord didn’t wait until the Israelites had their lives together or were set free from bondage. He met them in their mess and imperfect reality and gave them new hope. He wants to do the same for you. Will you accept the grace He has for you in this moment? Will you draw near to the hope He offers and believe it is true? 

He is doing something new in you. At times, it may feel hard, you may feel out of control, or like all hope is lost. But this verse provides a light that nothing can put out. God never promised the motherhood road would be easy. But He did promise to be with us, always (Matt. 28:20)—and that promise is not lost on me. 

Our preconceived plans are not always God’s plans. Notice this verse says, “For I know the plan I have for you,” not “For you know the plans I have for you.” So much of mom guilt stems from this false idea that we have to carry it all—and if we don’t carry it all perfectly, then we fail. The behaviors, the responsibilities, our children’s spiritual wellbeing—it’s not ours to hold alone. Let Jesus help you. 

He has plans that are greater than our greatest “mom fails.” We are stewards of our children, but God is their Creator. His ways are so much higher than our own. God’s posture toward us is that of restoration, not condemnation. Similar to the Israelites in exile, Jesus wants to give you hope—right where you’re at.

He has plans to “prosper and not to harm you.” Mom guilt is a form of self-harm. We worry that our limitations (being tired, working, needing a break) are going to harm our kids. The promise is that God’s plan is to give us a future and hope—our kids included. He isn’t keeping score of our perceived weaknesses, and neither should we.

When you’re in the thick of it, it’s easy to lose sight of the future. But whatever phase of motherhood or struggle you are facing is not a permanent reflection of you as a parent. The tides of motherhood ebb and flow. We have to learn to have grace for ourselves in the seasons that drain us to the point where we feel like we have nothing left to give. Because this is where God’s power steps in. His power works perfectly in our weakness, and His grace can be our strength when we submit to His power and confess our desperate need for Him (2 Cor. 12:9).

Jesus, I cannot do this all on my own. I need your strength to equip me. Thank you for the promise of Jeremiah 29:11 that you spoke into life to encourage the Israelites and to encourage me. I cling to its promise of hope and a future—for my children and me. Thank you, Jesus. Amen