DAY 27- NATALY WEST

Day 27 – April 4, 2025

    When the theme of “Out of the Wilderness and Into New Life” came up, I couldn’t help but think of my biggest challenge yet: becoming a mom. Becoming a parent is an incredible journey, filled with both joy and anxiety. It’s a time of change, uncertainty, and exhaustion, and for some, these feelings can spiral into a form of anxiety that’s overwhelming. If you are in this place today, know you are not alone. God sees you, and He is with you every step of the way.     

    Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

    If you’ve found yourself awake at 2 a.m., holding your baby, consumed with fear about whether you’re doing it right, know that you are not alone in that moment. Anxiety can steal the joy of parenthood and make everything seem more difficult than it truly is. Here’s the thing, God is with us in our anxiousness. 

    Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ.” 

    These verses remind us that when we bring our anxieties to God, His peace will guard our hearts. Godly peace does not come from perfect circumstances or even perfect choices. It comes from His love, grace, and understanding. 

    Knowing God is with us doesn’t erase all of our anxieties. It is OK to feel anxious, dare I say it is normal? There is also no shame in needing help and reassurance. Sometimes the pressure to “be strong” can only make things worse. God’s love is unconditional and He meets us in our moments of vulnerability. Let go of the pressure to be strong and embrace His love.

     In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Paul writes, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

    When you feel anxieties swallowing you up and stealing your joy, bring them to God. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. 

    “Father, I come to You with a heart full of anxiety and fear. I am overwhelmed, and I do not know how to carry the weight of my thoughts. I thank You for Your promises of peace, and I ask that You would surround me with Your calming presence today. Help me to cast my care upon You, knowing that You care. Please give me the strength to trust You, even when my anxiety feels heavy. I pray for rest for my body, mind, and soul. Thank you for Your love that never fails. Amen”

    Anxiety may come, but it doesn’t have to rule over you. God’s peace is available to you, even in the darkest moments. Trust that He will walk with you through this wilderness. You are and will never be alone.

-Nataly West