Don’t Rely on Your Feelings

Don't Rely on Your Feelings by Meg Hykes of www.HomeschoolinMama.com

Don’t Rely on Your Feelings

We all go through times in our life where we feel like life is totally taking over.  We feel like we can’t do it any longer – be the mom our kiddos need us to be, the wife our husband need and keep the house and homeschool in the order it needs to be.

This is why I haven’t been blogging for the last couple of months.  Because I have been feeling like I was failing at everything – especially homeschooling my girls.  So how could I possibly sit here and write to you as Homeschoolin Mama?  All I wanted to do is just throw in the towel (and quite honestly just this week I had that very same thought pop into my head).

See, we have hit a challenging time in our home.  I have felt attacked from the outside world from several areas in my life and I have unfortunately allowed it all to take over my thoughts.  Way more than I would like to admit.  My Boo (3yo) has discovered the best way to throw the perfect temper tantrum.  And Roo (8yo) is struggling with being able to stay focused with all the commotion that is going on in the house.  On top of all of this I (because I am a stress eater) began gaining my weight back as well.  Ugh – that alone is enough to really make you crazy right?!

I will confess that on more than one occasion in the past 2 months I have felt so confused, overwhelmed and yes even angry that I have text my poor husband “I quit!  I am no longer homeschooling!”  To which he will text me “You don’t mean that really.”  At the time of texting I truly felt that I meant it.  I was done!  I could not possibly continue on this journey with my girls.  I was messing them up.

The last few weeks I have spent some time, actually giving my hubby a break, discussing ALL that has been happening in my life and how I felt about it all, with a few of my good (and very wise) friends.  They each encouraged me to get back into God’s Word and see what He wanted me to do.

First I read:

For whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.  {1 John 3:20}

Then I read:

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  {Ephesians 2:8-9}

And then:

Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.  {Proverbs 28:26}

Do you see the pattern here?  Do you see where I was making my mistakes?  I have been allowing my feelings to run the show.  I’ve allowed my feelings to say “You can’t do this!”  “You’re a failure!  Just give up!”  Those are not thoughts or feelings given to me by God – that is the enemy trying to weasel his way in to my mind and heart.

I’m not saying I have it all figured out.  I’m definitely not saying I won’t have a time where I once again feel like a failure.  I think know that that is something I have always battled with.  But I know I will turn to His Word instead of allowing it to take over me and dwell on the negative.  Only God can show me where I need to grow and how He wants me to do it.  He is who I need to turn to.  I am so very grateful to my sweet friends to remind me of this.

Mamas, I am writing this not because I wanted to sit here and vent it out for a bit.  But to hopefully help you see that you are not alone when you are “feeling” overwhelmed and, well… crazy!  I know some times when you’re reading blogs you just see the perfect crafts, perfect homeschool rooms and planned out days.  But no one is perfect.  NO ONE!!!  We all have our moments we wish we could redo.  We all have those times we wish no one had witnessed.  In these times we (as homeschool moms) need to help each other regain our focus and put it where it truly needs to be – on God!

Do not rely on your feelings – they will only lead you down many confusing and complicated paths.  It all comes down to this – when you feel like you’re being knocked out, wake up and regain your focus on Christ.  Allow Him to show you His way.

Have you struggled with your feelings taking over?  Maybe you are right now.  I would love if you would share Bible verses that have helped you along the way.  Also, always feel free to email me at: [email protected] if you’d like me to pray for you as well.

Love Life, Love God, Live For HIM…
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