Spring Cleaning the Mom-Survival Mindset

Uncovering God’s Strength in Motherhood

Motherhood is beautiful, but let’s be honest—it can also feel exhausting, lonely, and overwhelming at times. The days blur together in a cycle of diaper changes, carpool lines, sibling squabbles, and never-ending to-do lists. For many moms, survival mode becomes the norm.

Maybe you’ve been there (or you’re there right now). You wake up already feeling behind, pour another cup of coffee, and push through the day just trying to make it to bedtime. Joy feels like a distant memory, and the idea of thriving? That sounds impossible.

I look back over that motherhood season, and I remember it well: the days blurring together, the many tears I shed, the desperate heartache for a break (or a nap!), and just space to be able to think about anything other than my child’s next need.

But what if I told you that God’s heart for motherhood isn’t just about getting through the day? What if He has so much more for you than just survival? What if you could find joy again?

The Danger of Survival Mode

Survival mode happens when we live in a constant state of stress, exhaustion, and depletion:

• Running on empty, giving to everyone else but never refueling your own soul
• Feeling isolated and unseen, even when surrounded by people
• Reacting to life’s demands instead of living with intention and purpose
• Carrying the weight of motherhood alone instead of relying on God and community

So many moms get stuck here because it feels like there’s no other way. But Jesus never intended for us to just survive—He came to bring abundant life (John 10:10). He offers rest, peace, and freedom from the burdens we were never meant to carry alone.

Jesus Calls Us to Freedom

Motherhood was never meant to be something we do in our own strength. What a relief! Jesus not only saves us from sin, but He also invites us to walk in freedom from the strongholds that keep us stuck—fear, anxiety, perfectionism, and isolation.

In Luke 10:39, we see Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him while her sister, Martha, is busy with all the tasks of the home. Jesus gently reminds Martha that Mary has chosen what is better. This passage isn’t about neglecting responsibilities; it’s about choosing what matters most. When we make time to sit at Jesus’ feet, everything else finds its proper place and peace comes from knowing our eyes are set on Him.

When we make time to sit at Jesus’ feet, everything else finds its proper place and peace comes from knowing our eyes are set on Him.

Spring Cleaning – Getting Back to God’s Heart

So how do we move from just getting by to thriving in our motherhood journey? Here are some simple, biblical strategies to help shift your heart and mindset:

1. Engage with God’s Word Daily

It doesn’t have to be hours of in-depth study; even a few minutes of Scripture can reset your heart. Meditate on verses like:

• Matthew 11:28:  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
• Isaiah 40:31a:  “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”
• Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Let His Word breathe life into your weary soul and remind you that He is able and equips you for your day. When we find our identity in what God says about who we are, we stop living for the approval of others. Knowing our Creator loves us, hears us, and sustains us, gives us strength in the day-to-day. This is one way God transformed my motherhood—when you refocus on God’s Truth and silence the lies of inadequacy, you can walk in the confidence of His love.

2. Stop Doing Motherhood Alone

One of the Enemy’s greatest tactics is isolating moms, making us believe we’re the only ones struggling. But God created us for community. John Milton, a British theologian and poet said, “Loneliness is the first thing which God’s eye named not good.”

Joining a faith-based moms’ group, like Moms in Prayer, can be life-changing. Praying with other moms, sharing struggles, and lifting one another up reminds us that we’re not alone. Some of my closest friends have come from my Moms in Prayer group because when we can be vulnerable in prayer and have help to keep our eyes on Him in the midst of our challenges, we find real community. As Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”

When we can be vulnerable in prayer and have help to keep our eyes on Him in the midst of our challenges, we find real community.

3. Turn Your Worries into Prayers

Instead of letting stress build, bring everything to God in prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Start a simple habit: when you feel overwhelmed, whisper a prayer. Surrender your frustrations, fears, and weariness to the One who carries you. Susanna Wesley, mother of nineteen, famously would put her apron over her head when she was praying. How can we rely upon God and pray in a way that shows our children that our strength comes from Him?

4. Take Small, Faithful Steps

Spring cleaning old mindsets doesn’t happen overnight. It starts with small, faithful steps:

• Setting an alarm five minutes earlier to just sit with Jesus and give Him your day
• Sending a text to a friend and asking for prayer
• Joining a prayer group, even if it feels out of your comfort zone
• Speaking Truth over the lies that you’re not enough

God is honored in the small acts of faith. He meets us where we are and multiplies our efforts when we trust Him.

You Don’t Have to Stay Stuck

If you’ve been in survival mode, hear this: you are not alone. And you don’t have to stay here. Jesus invites you into a life of peace, purpose, and joy—even in the mess of motherhood.

Motherhood isn’t about doing it all perfectly; it’s about walking in God’s grace, trusting Him with the process, and leaning on the community He has given us. Let’s lift our eyes together, pray for one another, and step into the abundant life God has for us. You’ve got this, mama—and God’s got you.

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Alicia Bennett grew up living and traveling overseas from a very young age, but it wasn’t until college that God captured her heart. After majoring in East Asian studies, she went on to work with an international missionary agency until she and her husband started a family. Today, Alicia and her husband live in Colorado and have four growing boys. She continues to write, teach, and speak about God’s heart, serving in mom’s, children’s, and mission capacities at her local church and writing for various ministries. She also hosts a Moms in Prayer group in her home.

Alicia offers you a free sample 5-day devotional just for moms. It’s the same process God used to move her from feeling stuck in survival mode to living with joy amidst the mess of motherhood. Your circumstances may not change, but your heart will!

You can also find her blogging regularly at MobilizerMom.com about all things missions, biblical parenting, and intentional discipleship. She’s active on social media @MobilizerMom, equipping other parents to raise the next generation of Daniels and Esthers.