God used this incredible Bible verse to help me during a hard season, with 10 big take-aways for how to be intentional as Christian mom.
The Bible tells us to be intentional
If we want to truly enjoy Christian family life, we have to be intentional about how we approach our busy days.
Marriage and motherhood are a long road. There are ups and downs and twists and turns.
But the Lord has great wisdom for us in how to enjoy that long and windy road!
Today, we’ll dive into Hebrews 12:1-3 to find three keys for intentional living.
Not only that, but I’ll share 10 super practical tips for how to actually live this out when you’re busy, tired, and struggling – tips from my 10+ years as a marriage and family therapist (and my own family life).
Ready, friend? Let’s dive in.
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A happy life means being intentional
A happy Christian life doesn’t happen by accident.
Holiness is rarely the easy road.
To enjoy healthy relationships and find happiness in life, we must be intentional to live out what God says in the Bible.
There isn’t a magic wand or a get-rich-quick solution.
It’s about our daily decisions, and how (if?) we follow through with what we know is right.
We must be intentional. And not just for our own goals and wishes – as Christian moms leading Christian families, we must be intentional to follow the Bible. We follow Jesus.
But how?
My favorite Bible verse about being intentional in life
About 10 years ago, I was in a hard season of “mom” life.
Actually, I wasn’t a mom yet – and that was a big part of the problem. We had learned that infertility was part of our family story, yet we really wanted to have children.
There wasn’t anything I could do about our infertility diagnosis. But I knew even in our grief that this was a season that would have a big impact on my life with Jesus.
How do we trust the Lord when we get devastating news? When things are hard? When we do everything “right” but it doesn’t seem like we’re getting the good that God has promised?
READ NEXT: Learning How To Trust God Completely
During this season, I found so much comfort, encouragement, and challenge in Hebrews 12:1-3.
Hebrews 12:1-3: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
These are incredible Bible verses about being intentional! About living life well, even when it is hard and bumpy and we feel discouraged.
Let’s look at the Lord’s action steps for us here to help us enjoy a happy, healthy, holy Christian family life by being intentional about how we live.
Let us... throw off everything that hinders
This is a powerful part of this Bible verse. Sure, we know that we should “throw off… the sin that so easily entangles.” Sin is bad. We know that.
But there are so many things that simply hinder us. Things that get in the way of God’s best for our lives.
Sometimes, good things hinder us. They distract us or slow us down. They interrupt our walk with Jesus or the spiritual growth we desire.
What is hindering you?
It might be a good thing… or a neutral thing… but if it hinders you from following Jesus, loving your people, or living righteously in the season God has given you today, it’s a problem.
Let us... run with perseverance
Motherhood takes perseverance! It is wonderful, but it is not easy.
We stay up late and get up early, often with some wake-ups in between. We manage the tantrums and the whining, the discipline and the discipleship of our precious little ones.
And even beyond this, Christian family life as a whole requires our perseverance. We must endure miscommunication, conflict, illnesses, and overwhelm. Family life is wonderful, but it is hard work to maintain happy and healthy relationships.
What race has God marked out for you?
I was impacted by these verses during the mid-point of our infertility journey. That was not a race I would have asked for… but it was the race marked out for me at that time.
Whatever your race is, we all have the same ways to stay on track and be intentional. We fix our eyes on Jesus. We “consider him… so that [we] will not grow weary and lose heart.”
READ NEXT: 5 Powerful Scriptures For Every Christ-Centered Home
Let us... fix our eyes on Jesus
When the world is crumbling around us, there is nothing more stable or safe than Jesus. He has given us faith, and He holds us firm in it.
Jesus endured the cross, and He enjoys the victory today that He accomplished over sin and death. He has “sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
As we follow Jesus, we know that we will sometimes be running a difficult race. We can expect sadness and struggle to be a part of our story.
What can we do? What intentional things will keep us firm in our faith?
We fix our eyes on Jesus. We consider him and follow him.
This is how we handle the weariness and stay on track with the Christian life.
READ NEXT: Mom Hacks For Getting A Devotional Time On The Regular
10 ways to be intentional like this Bible verse tells us
In my personal wrestling with these Bible verses, and in my professional work as a marriage and family therapist, I’m always a big fan of action steps.
It’s nice to understand why something might be happening. But I think it’s better to have an idea of what to do about it!
So here are a few ideas for how to be intentional as a Christian mom.
5 Ways To Throw Off The Things That Hinder And The Sin That Entangles:
- Write down your priorities and goals so they are visible. Keep them in front of you to help you stay focused.
- Check your screen time or do a time audit to get realistic about how you spend your time. It’s probably not actually as “productive” or intentional as you think!
- Pray and ask God to show you the sin that threatens you personally and the things that are hindering you in this season. It will require humility…. And it will be worth it.
- Cut some things from your life that may not be sin but are getting in the way of happiness, health, and holiness. The most common issues Christian moms face are social media, people pleasing, and hurry or busyness!
- Ask your husband, friends, or older kids for their honesty in what they see hindering you or what needs to change.
5 Ways To Run With Perseverance The Race Marked Out:
- Prioritize daily Bible reading and prayer. Figure out how to make it happen and stick with it! Five minutes is better than no minutes. (HOLY HABITS)
- Have realistic expectations, and don’t stop doing what’s right just because it’s hard. No one has to “persevere” through things that are easy. Focus on what God has called you to do.
- Memorize Colossians 3:1-3! These verses are so encouraging to us, reminding us to fix our hearts and minds on the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
- Be an active part of your local church body. God has created us for relationships, and we need fellowship, accountability, and church family who will “spur us on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24).
- Start family devotions and/or couples devotions. Having the support of your closest people, as you strive to follow Jesus and do the hard things of intentional Christian living, is so helpful.
Get help to be intentional
Life can feel really overwhelming sometimes.
It can sound impossible to “throw off” the junk of life and “run with perseverance” when we’re struggling and exhausted.
That’s why I’m a big fan of resources and help.
Here are a few of my resources that I pray might help you on this journey of Christian family life:
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Disclaimers: I am a licensed therapist but my podcast, blog, and resources are not professional or personal advice. I am an affiliate for many of the resources that I link to, and may earn a small commission if you purchase through my links. Read my full disclaimer here.