Being a Christian Mom in a Crazy World: Balancing Faith & Mama Bear Mode

Let’s be real for a second. As a Christian mom, you know that we’re called to live in faith, not fear. We hear it in church, read it in Scripture, and it’s etched on all those cute signs at Hobby Lobby. “Do not be anxious about anything” (Philippians 4:6) and “God has not given us a spirit of fear” (2 Timothy 1:7). But can we talk about how hard that is when the world feels like it’s gone completely off the rails?

We’re living in a time where every news alert makes your stomach drop. School shootings, bullying, social media madness, pandemics—it’s a lot. Add to that the overwhelming feeling of trying to raise kids who not only survive but thrive and shine the light of Christ, and you’ve got yourself one overwhelmed mama.

And then there’s Mama Bear mode. You know the one. The primal instinct that kicks in when your baby faces any kind of danger, hurt, or injustice. Sometimes, it’s a good thing—the protective nature God placed in us to guard and nurture our children. But other times? It’s exhausting and anxiety-inducing because, let’s face it, we can’t bubble-wrap our kids. We can’t control everything. And isn’t that the hardest part of this gig?

But here’s what I’m learning: faith and fear can’t coexist. When I let fear take the wheel, it drives me straight to worst-case-scenario-ville. But when I remember who God is, I’m reminded that He loves my kids even more than I do. (I know, hard to imagine, right?) He has a plan for their lives, and His plans are good—even when they don’t make sense to me.

So, what do we do when fear creeps in? Here are a few things I’ve been clinging to:

1. Pray Without Ceasing: There’s no better place to put our worries than in the hands of the One who can actually do something about them. Pray for your kids—their safety, their choices, their hearts. Pray for wisdom as a parent. And when fear tries to make itself at home, pray it right out the door.

2. Armor Up: Ephesians 6:10-18 talks about the full armor of God. I’m learning that putting on that armor isn’t just a metaphor; it’s a necessity. Teach your kids to armor up, too—truth, righteousness, faith, and all the rest. The world might be crazy, but God’s Word is unshakable.

3. Community is Key: Surround yourself with other moms who get it. Share your fears, your faith, your funny stories. Encourage each other and remind each other that you’re not in this alone. God didn’t design us to walk this journey solo.

4. Remember Who God Is: When fear tries to tell you that the world is winning, remind yourself (and fear) who’s really in charge. God is sovereign. He’s bigger than pandemics, bullies, and social media drama. And He’s got your kids in the palm of His hand.

I’m not saying it’s easy. It’s not. But every day, we have a choice. We can let fear call the shots, or we can hand the reins over to God and trust Him to lead us—and our kids—through whatever comes our way. So here’s to faith over fear, mama. One prayerful, armor-clad day at a time.