Praise the LORD! For he has heard my cry. The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. (Psalm 28:6-7 NLT)

“Mom, I have a question.”  In response to my son’s statement song lyrics burst forth from my mouth, “I found the answer……” 

“Not again!” 

“I’m sorry, son, I can’t help myself.”

Busting into song still happens throughout my day. If I hear a word or phrase that reminds me of a song, the compulsion to sing the lyrics gets the best of me. Breaking out in song annoyed my children, especially when they were teens, which made me want to sing all the more. 

When I read about the psalmist “bursting out in song,” in verse seven, I immediately thought of how easy it is for me to burst into song for fun. However, there are times when it’s hard to sing due to difficult circumstances.

One thing is clear throughout the book of Psalms is the need to keep singing, praising God by finding something to be thankful for no matter the situation. When my children were young, I would sing a prayer in hopes they wouldn’t understand how stressful things were at that moment. But God knew. He always brought me through. 

Whether you’re a first-time mom or a seasoned mom, we can all agree there are times the monotony of daily life gets the best of us which can lead us to complain to God how unfair life is or how hurtful someone’s been to us. There are also situations where we are unable to see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel so cry out to Him. We know if He doesn’t help, the situation will turn catastrophic. God always hears and answers our prayers. However, He rarely answers on our timeline or exactly how we think He should. 

Background on Psalm 28

King David, a soldier and beloved ruler of Israel. God called, “a man after My own heart.” (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22) It’s speculated David wrote over seventy-three of the one hundred fifty psalms. Many of these psalms begin with David complaining about a bad situation, but more often than not, his attitude changed to one of praise because he knew God was his defender. 

Psalm 28 is another example of a psalm starting in distress but ending in praise. This psalm opens with David fervently asking God for help. He prays God’s will hear him. He asks God to judge the people who want to kill him for their contempt of God’s law. At the same time, he’s afraid of being swept up in their judgment, forgotten by God.

It’s unknown whether David wrote Psalm 28 before or after God rescued him. Either way, he went from lamenting to God about the life-threatening situation, to praising Him for saving him from calamity. Perhaps this psalm was written in faith before the resolution to the problem appeared.

Followers of Christ are told to believe God will answer when we pray. Before we can experience God’s help, we must first have, at the very least, a mustard seed size faith He will not only hear, but also help. In whatever timeframe this psalm was written, the point is the complaining stopped. David trusted God to be his strength and shield. Remembering how God helped him in the past caused him to pivot from fear to praise.

Lessons from Psalm 28 for Moms

“The Christian warrior, sheltered behind God, is far more safe than the hero when covered with his shield of brass or triple steel,” C.H. Spurgeon.

Spurgeon’s words remind us moms our strength is from God and there is nothing that will defeat it except our own unbelief. Unbelief—a chink in our armor that allows the enemy’s fiery dark to hit its mark–may sneak in when our children, regardless of their age, stomp on our very last nerve the house is a mess, other responsibilities weigh heavy on our shoulders, and life feels out of control. It’s hard to praise God in the chaotic, stressful times. It’s really hard to have an attitude of gratitude in difficult situations. 

Taking a moment to remember a previous time when God helped you, will increase your trust in God to help in you again. Trust coupled with thanksgiving is the key to not only surviving the stress of any given moment as a mom, but also draw closer to God. I know, by experience, this principle to be true.

I have six children. Most of them are adults with children of their own now, but when they were young, my family decided to foster children. Over fifty children graced our home in seven years. Dealing with my children, traumatized children, plus a broken government system—talk about last nerves being stomped on—got the best of me more times than I care to admit. Through all of it God’s remained faithful. He still is today!

Remembering where our strength comes from and learning to be thankful in the little, even mundane, things of mom life allow our faith to grow. With increased faith comes a more intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father. I pray the strategies (with supporting Bible verses) listed below will encourage you. 

Five Strategies with scriptures to help change complaining to praise:

1. Write down a Bible verse or two from when God was your strength or a help in times of trouble. Try to memorize at least one.

The LORD is my strength and my [impenetrable] shield; My heart trusts [with unwavering confidence]in Him, and I am helped. Psalm 28:7 Amplified

2. Start a gratitude journal (be as creative as you can with your time restraints). Everyday write three or four things you’re thankful for. These can be as simple as the sun is shining or as complex as God’s provision for a big need.

Praise the LORD for He heard my cry! Psalm 28:6 NLT

3. Let praise through music flow in your space—in the car, bedroom, and your entire home. 

I will sing to the LORD as long as I live.  I will praise my God to my last breath! Psalm 104:33 NLT

4. When life is difficult and you fear God isn’t hearing your prayers, think about the mile markers of your faith journey—times in the past when God came through for you. Write them down in your gratitude journal.

I will remember the deeds of the LORD;  yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. Psalm 77:11 NIV

5. Remember, when you can’t feel God’s presence, you can trust His promises.

Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NASB (1995)

Questions to Ponder for Psalm 28:6-7

• Like David, are your circumstances threatening to take you out?

• Which strategy listed above are you able to implement immediately?

• Is there a promise from God you’ve forgotten about?

• How soon can you make time to get alone with God, even for just a few moments, to be encouraged by His presence?

 Prayer Guide for Psalm 28

Praise: What praise worthy attributes of God do we see here? 

My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.” (Psalm 28:7b NASB) 

You, o Lord, are trustworthy. We praise You that Your promises are always true. You are THE Promise Keeper. 

Repent: What does this draw us to repentance over? 

Bless be the LORD, Because He has heard the voice of my supplication. (Psalm 28:6 NASB)

Father God, forgive my unbelief—the struggle to believe I am worthy of You hearing my supplication. Please give me the faith and trust I need to walk in obedience to You ways.

Request: What do we need God’s help with based on this Psalm?

Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You for help, When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.  (Psalm 28:2 NASB)

Lord, teach me to remember I can call on You for help in any situation, big or small and You will hear me. I want to trust You more in every aspect of my life, but I can’t do without You changing my heart first.

Yield: What can I commit to God based on what I’ve read?

Father, I commit to trusting You more. I commit to remember when I can’t feel Your presence, I can trust Your promises. Give me the desire to know You more; to not allow the things of this life to keep me from You.  Thank you for Your faithfulness, even when I’m unfaithful. In Jesus’ name. Amen.  

Short Daily Devotions from the Psalms         

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Norma Poore has lived through difficult circumstances, and allows her journey to fuel encouragement for the hurting. Her speaking and inspirational nonfiction are penned with honest transparency and hope from God’s Word. A respected member of the publishing community and she’s an award-winning author, as well as the managing editor for almostanauthor.com.  Married 40+ years, has six children, and fourteen of the most amazing grandchildren. Spending time with her loud and crazy family is Norma’s happy place. Connect with her at: NormaPoore.com,  Facebook: Norma K Poore.