How to Find Biblical Joy While Caring for Your Newborn

“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there…” 1 Samuel 1:27-28

Exactly one week ago today, my daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. As I walked with her through her pregnancy, and now as she is learning how to take care of a newborn, I am reminded of the days when I first had the privilege of entering the beginning seasons of motherhood. I remember how it felt to stare at my newborn, unable to take my eyes off her. Being in awe of her little fingers and toes. The love that welled up in my heart - - a love I never knew existed -- and thinking to myself, "I can't believe she's MINE!" What a sweet, sweet season it was!

Other things characterize the season of mothering an infant. I remember them clearly as well! I am talking about the harder parts of the season, such as feeling exhausted due to lack of sleep and trying to recover physically from childbirth while caring for a needy newborn. The up and down emotions, adjusting to a new way of life that revolves around the needs of a baby, no longer being able to come and go as you please, the overwhelming feeling of responsibility, and wondering if you are capable of doing what is necessary to be able to care for and parent this new, little, precious human!

Yes, it is a privilege and a gift to be entrusted with a new life, but it is a huge transition and adjustment that comes with a mixed bag of emotions, and there are times when a mom needs to know how to fight for joy.

Verses to Help You When You Are in the Season of Mothering an Infant

Ecclesiastes 3:1,2 "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born…."

This season, like every other season, is temporary. The hard parts of the season are temporary, and so are the sweet parts. This "time to be born" season, is a season of significant, life-changing adjustments. Working to take it one day at a time, remembering that the difficult parts will eventually end, can help you not to become too overwhelmed. Taking things one day at a time and being intentional to relish in the sweet details of the season is also important and can add joy to an otherwise exhausting season.

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

You are correct if you feel like you cannot do this! What is required of you to care for a little person while exhausted is too much for you to do on your own. The Scriptures tell us that God is happy to provide his strength in the most challenging of circumstances. His grace is there in our times of need. (Hebrews 4:16) Sometimes, that strength comes in a supernatural way as we push through exhaustion to meet the needs of a hungry newborn. Sometimes that strength comes when God sends family members or a friend to help carry the weight of this adjustment with a meal, a visit, or a call to let you know they are there to help you in any way you might need them to. All of this is a gift from God meant to help you when you are weak.

Isaiah 40:11 "He will tend his flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in his arms; He will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young."

Isn't knowing that God wants to lead you gently and carefully encouraging? He cares about you and sees you as you nurture that brand-new life. He is a good Father and has ordained the work you are doing, caring for and loving your precious baby, day in and day out. You can rest in the fact that this season, and the work you are doing, is important. You can rest in the fact that it is okay to slow down and take care of yourself and your baby because that is what is most important in the moment.

What Good Comes from Being in the Season of Mothering an Infant

• This season provides you with an opportunity to cling to and depend even more on God than ever before. It is an opportunity to be aware of how he provides for your every need and enables you to do what needs to be done.
• This season allows you to understand, a little bit better, how God the Father loves you. The overwhelming love you feel towards your child is just a hint of the love God feels for his own children.
• This season provides an opportunity to learn more deeply what it means to live a life of sacrifice. The moment we have our own children, we are called into a level of self-sacrifice in a way we have never experienced. Even though it can be extremely hard at times, it is being used to conform us into the image of Christ. (Romans 8)

Find Biblical Joy by Focusing on God

1. Thank Him for Who He is:

Father, thank you for being EL ROI - "the God of Seeing." It is comforting to know that you see me, even when I am in my home doing the unseen work of caring for an infant. You see me when I am exhausted. You see me when I am overwhelmed. You see me when I am alone. You see me. Thank you!

 2. Thank Him for His Faithfulness:

Father, you have been faithful in every single season of my life. You have strengthened and enabled me to do the work you have called me to do in the past, and I know that you will continue to enable me to do what you call me to do. Thank you to the people you have sent my way who have helped point me to you and have been there in many practical ways.

3. Thank Him for His Promises:

Father, thank you for your promises that I can cling to. They give me hope and joy amidst challenging seasons. Thank you for the reminders of your love, that you are present now, and that you will never leave or forsake me.

4. Thank Him for His Provisions:

Father, thank you for providing me with a precious child to love, care for, raise, and point to you. I am beyond overwhelmed and thankful for this gift you have given me. Thank you for your promise to provide all I need to care for, raise, and point this little one to you. I am so grateful!

To learn more about how to choose biblical joy, check out my book “Everyday Prayers for Joy”!  

For weekly encouragement on how to choose biblical joy in all circumstances, subscribe to “Choose Biblical Joy Today” 

This article is part of a series by Gina Smith on biblical joy. Here are more of her articles:

How to Find Biblical Joy When You Face Uncertainty

How to Find Biblical Joy When You Have Been Treated Unfairly

How to Find Biblical Joy When You Battle Depression

Finding Biblical Joy in Loneliness

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