The Single Mom Journeyنموونە

Day 8: Dealing with Discouragement

When I was younger, I had the same fairytale dreams that many little girls have—meet Prince Charming, have a beautiful wedding, and live happily ever after in a big house full of love. But life didn’t exactly go according to that plan.

And I’m guessing, if you’re reading this, your journey hasn’t either. You didn’t dream of being a single mom, but here you are.

If you’ve felt discouraged along the way, please know you’re not alone. Feeling overwhelmed or disheartened at times is completely normal. Being a single mom is one of the toughest challenges you’ll ever face.

I know the feeling well. I often battled discouragement, especially when I realized that my dream of being a stay-at-home mom wouldn’t happen. I felt discouraged when I couldn’t provide everything I wanted to for my kids. I carried guilt, pressure, and a deep desire to do it all right.

But then, I came to a turning point. I realized that I had to fully surrender this journey to God and trust that He would lead me step by step. That’s when Romans 8:28 (NKJV) became real to me: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Even when life is hard, even when it doesn’t look like the dream you once had, God is still writing your story. He is faithful. He is working all things together for your good.

So today, I challenge you: give your discouragement to God. He is the only one who can bring peace in the middle of your storm. And He will walk with you every step of the way.

Day 8: Challenge

As the sound of marching soldiers, shouting voices, and rumbling chariots grew louder, fear began to rise in the hearts of the Israelites. Would they be captured again—or worse, killed? But then, something incredible happened. Moses, fully trusting in God, lifted his staff toward Heaven, and in that moment, the Red Sea miraculously parted. Walls of water stood on either side, and a dry path appeared before them. The Israelites walked safely across, and as soon as they reached the other side, the waters came crashing down, completely wiping out the Egyptian army that had been chasing them (see Exodus 14).

God had delivered His people, not just from physical danger, but from fear and discouragement. The Bible tells us in Exodus 14:31 (NKJV), “Thus Israel saw the great work which the Lord had done in Egypt; so the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord and His servant Moses.”

This was just one of many times Moses gave his burdens to the Lord on behalf of the people, and each time, God showed up in powerful ways.

Psalm 55:22 (NKJV) encourages us: “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you.”

Just like He did for the Israelites, God will sustain you, too. He knows the weight of your discouragement, and He’s ready to carry it for you. When you give your worries and burdens to Him, you’ll one day look back and clearly see the great things He has done in your life.

You don’t have to carry it all alone—give your discouragement to God today. He will sustain you.

Day 8: Action

Make a list of the items you are currently discouraged about in your life. Pray over them, and then pray for the next three weeks that God would deliver you from them.