Be Strong!

What it means to me to be strong.

As women and mothers we are expected to be invincible and how often have we heard the words “be strong”? Implicit in this is the fact that we need to be strong for others and not necessarily ourselves.

Sometimes this makes me want to scream. I don’t know about you but to be honest I certainly don’t feel like it is always possible to be strong. The generation I was brought up in though was taught not to show emotion or feelings and certainly never in front of your children. This puts us as mothers under impossible pressure.

How does this help our children become balanced and happy adults?

I don’t believe it does. After all, we want to raise children who can deal with life’s knocks. As mothers we don’t want our children to experience grief, loss, disappointment or heartache but the reality is that they will.

These things are part and parcel of life though and at one time or another my children and yours will have to face up to them. This is regardless of how I as a mother shelter or protect them. What is important for me then as a mother is how I equip my children to deal with the their emotions, whether negative or positive. It is by faith and example we teach our children and showing. A lot of showing.

The last thing we want our children to do is to pretend they are fine while they are breaking up inside. This is why this previously unbreakable rule of motherhood needs to be broken. We can’t hide our emotions and not expect our children to do the same. By showing them how we work through life’s challenges we equip them to deal with theirs. Sarah Dessen puts it beautifully:

Anyone can hide. Facing up to things, working through them, that’s what makes you strong.

Sarah Dessen

Finding strength through faith

How do we face up to what life throws at us? The words of Joshua 1:9 are my compass and have very special meaning for me. They have kept and guided me through many tough times:

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

Knowing that God is always watching over me, in good times and bad, helps me face the challenges in my journey. In the same way I hope these words will become my children’s true north when I am no longer by their side. Not being afraid, being courageous, not being discouraged and facing up to things – this is the lesson I am teaching my children. This is the act of being strong. This is the true meaning of being strong.

If this post touched you please send me a message below. I’d love to hear your thoughts.