For The Autism Mom ​That Feels Discouraged.​​..

Six women of the Bible that showed amazing courage, strength and faith

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Being a special needs mom, an autism mom, simply a mom, is tough.

We live in a world that does not completely comprehend what it’s like and so does not completely accept our children the way they are.

Our children are amazing, wonderfully and marvelously made. But with their uniqueness come challenges.

There are three steps forward and two steps back. There is progress and then regression. There are good days and bad days.

And most day’s as an autism mom you’re so focused on getting through the day that you’re just simply exhausted.

Maybe you’ve been working on something for yourself or with your child and IT’S JUST NOT HAPPENING!

You feel discouraged!

I get it!

I have been there more times than I care to remember.

When I’m feeling discouraged I like to look towards women who have gone through similar situations and that have shown courage.

I turn to the word of God because that is what gives me strength.

How My Faith Helped Me With My Son’s Diagnosis

The Bible is a great place to find amazing, faithful, and courageous women.

Sarah

Known as Abraham’s wife, from the old testament.

She was not able to have children. I’m sure there are those of you out there that know what she was feeling and the discouragement she was feeling.

I can imagine how Sarah must have been feeling, already being well passed her childbearing years waiting on the Lord to keep his promise.

But God had promised Abraham descendants more numerous than the stars in the skies. And even though Sarah had a hard time believing and trusting, she did just that.

We can read her story in Genesis chapter 18:11-14

“Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”

“Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

And God kept his promise. Sarah had a son and named him Isaac.

Leah

Leah was Jacobs (Isaac’s son), first wife. He was tricked into marrying her and loved her sister (his second wife) more.

Jacob was in love with her sister Rachel and wanted to marry her. But according to their custom, Jacob had to marry Leah first. But he did not love her.

It must have been so hard for her not to feel loved by her husband. Not getting the same attention as her sister.

God saw her. And loved her and blessed her with many children.

Here’s her story,

Genesis 29:31

“When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive.”

God sees you. God loves you. And He will bless you.

Ruth

Ruth has her own book in the Bible.

What an incredible and brave woman.

Her husband died. She left everything and everyone and followed her mother in law. Because she was faithful and showed courage, she remarried and God blessed her.

She lost her husband and chose to leave her family. Trusting her mother in law and God was all she could do.

Ruth 1:3-5

” Now Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years,  both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.

Ruth 1:16-17

“But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” 

Ruth followed Naomi’s instructions and trusted God. But she must have been discouraged after all the disappointments she had gone through with all that happened to her.

Ruth 4:13

“So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. And she gave birth to a son.”

Esther

Queen Esther also has a book named after her in the Bible.

She could have been killed for what she did.

But she trusted God and His plan for her life.

Esther 4:14

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Can you imagine, mama? You were created for such a time as this! You’re the mama of your precious child. You were chosen for them and they were chosen for you. Don’t ever forget that. You’re not doing this alone. God is always there.

Hannah

Hannah was the mother of Samuel, a great prophet.

But she wasn’t able to be a mother for a long time. She pleaded and cried out to God to give her a son.

And so He did.

“Hannah was praying from her heart” -Samuel 1:13. I was pouring out my soul to the Lord (15b). I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief (16b).

and the Lord remembered her. (19b)”

And the Lord remembers you too.

Mary Mother of Jesus

What an incredible woman of the Bible.

A young girl, engaged to be married, and promised by an angel to give birth to her savior.

I can’t even imagine how much faith and courage this young lady had to have. But she did. She trusted God and obeyed and waited on what the Lord had planned for her.

Luke 1:29-31

“Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.”

Luke 29:38

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.”

For a little more encouragement let’s not forget the following:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” Luke 12:25

“Cast all your anxiety on him because hectares for you.” 1 Peter 1:7

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Dueteronomy 31:8

Let’s not forget those that came before us. Trust God and do not be discouraged.

Be blessed mama! You got this!