There is a word that I have been mulling over in my head since Sunday. Sunday was Mother’s Day. And if you are a woman, you already knew this fact. I do not know how many times over the last week I read these words: “Motherhood is not for the fainthearted.” At first, I agreed. I even embraced those very words. Seriously. Who wouldn’t? For in the embrace, you basically are patting yourself on the back for doing a hard thing – mothering. Now I am not denying the fact that mothering is difficult & endless & tiring. But here is what I realized….

Life is not for the fainthearted.

“Fainthearted” as defined by dictionary .com is, “lacking courage, acting cowardly, lacking conviction or boldness.”

Life is not for the fainthearted.

Life, on any given day, will present a set of challenges or difficulties or obstacles. Each & every day can be filled with these opportunities.

Moses, in giving some final instructions before entering the Promised Land, says this to the people:

Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory. (Deuteronomy 20:3 NIV84).

This is great advice – do not recoil when you see the obstacles before you. Don’t waver. Don’t hesitate. Believe that God is with you.

Moses tells them what NOT to do but even more importantly, he gives them further instruction on what TO DO:

Is any man afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his brothers will not become disheartened too.” (same chapter, verse 10)

Did you catch it?

The disease of faintheartedness is contagious. Our discouragement & panic will not stay self-contained. Others will become fainthearted as well in our company. So we owe it to ourselves & those around us to remedy this disease quickly.

What are we to do when we feel faint?

So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith. (Galatians 6:9-10, The Message). 

I am finding that I have to take my fatigue, my faintheartedness to the Only One that can infuse me with strength. Practically speaking, when I am feeling over tired, I must get some rest. Perhaps a little more sleep. Maybe do something relaxing. But I want to rid myself of that feeling so as not to affect those around me. In doing so, I not only benefits myself but those I am in contact with as well.

What do you do when you feel fainthearted?

Today I linked at: Thought Provoking Thurs. and Blog Lovin’ Blog Hop and Thoughtful Thurs. and Thurs. Favorite Things and Be Inspired By Others  and Wednesday’s Word and Dear Weary Mom .