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A Message to Midlife Mother's
Emulating a Positive Midlife Message
Mid Life: A Call to Maturity
What is a Midlife Mom?
A midlife mom is a mom that is at a Midlife transition point in life.
She may demonstrate:
- self-doubt and disappointments that can lead to irrational thinking,
- Discontentment or boredom with life or with the lifestyle (including people and things) that have provided fulfillment for a long time
- Feeling restless and wanting to do something completely different
- Questioning decisions made years earlier and the meaning of life
- Confusion about who you are or where your life is going
- Daydreaming
- Irritability, unexpected anger
- Persistent sadness
- Acting on alcohol, drug, food, or other compulsions
- Greatly decreased or increased sexual desire
- Sexual affairs, especially with someone much younger
- Greatly decreased or increased ambition.
But this transition is a call to maturing and can also be an immensely productive time when properly viewed.
It can be a time when midlife moms refocus their priorities and exchange old desires with new dreams.
During this time of crisis you can come into a deeper knowledge of who you are and what your relationship with God can be.
In fact, what is called a midlife crisis may simply be a God-produced event designed to shake you out of your comfort zone so that you might achieve the highest purpose for which you were created.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)
You can through the strength of Christ, who lives within you.
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)
- Regard midlife as different, not inferior.
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1) - Realize the advantages of aging.
- - Wisdom and knowledge are gained from experiences.
- - Understand that you are the product of your experiences. Learn to value the trials as well as the successes you've endured.
- - Endurance is strengthened through changes and hardships.
- - Relationships are cherished and confirmed by testing.
- - Spiritual focus is sharpened by looking on the unseen and the eternal.
"Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?" (Job 12:12)
- It is a time to accept the physical changes that are happening to you.
"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31)
- It is time to evaluate your life purpose.
- -Discern what brings you joy.
- -Discover your spiritual gifts.
- -Determine your given responsibilities.
- -Develop a written statement (vision).
"We pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God." (Colossians 1:10)
- It is time to set goals for new challenges.
- -Think of something you always wanted to do and design a plan to accomplish it.
- -Understand that "ministry" is something to which all believers are called. Find your own ministry, wherever that may be.
"The noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands." (Isaiah 32:8)
- It is time to aim for sincere love in my relationships.
- -Substitute your name for the word love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
- -Pray, "Lord, may I think more about giving love than receiving love."
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." (Romans 12:9)
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (I Corinthians 13:4-7)
- It is time to creatively communicate love to others.
- -Verbally affirm the positive qualities of each person in your home. For every word of criticism, it may take up to 100 words of praise to balance. It may be that we are never called to criticize, but rather to always affirm. Let the Holy Spirit do the convicting!
- -Ask your mate to write out your positive qualities, and make a list of your mate's positive qualities.
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34)
- It is time to to make the most of the time God gives me.
- - Determine your priorities.
- - Live one day at a time.
"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12)
- It is time to listen for God's direction in my life.
- -Study Scripture, pray, meditate.
- -Listen to godly advice.
- -Look for open doors, but use caution. God will sometimes leave a door open to see if you will go through it. Test an open door by His Word before proceeding, and even then, wait for the Spirit's voice to say, "Go ahead."
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." (Proverbs 16:9)
- It is time to recognize God's presence in my life.
- -Be aware of the constant presence of Christ in you walking each step with you.
"To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27) - -Respond with the attitude of Christ to your difficult situations, and remember that living with God is an adventure to be savored, not a destination to be conquered.
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5)
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." (Isaiah 43:2)
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