Keeping God Our God: A Catholic Mom’s Guide to Peace

Denise Jelinek shows how Catholic moms can find peace not in earthly gods but in keeping God our God.  

For years, as a Catholic woman, I knew in my head that my security and identity were supposed to be found in God alone. But it was a slow process for that truth to sink into my heart, to really let it bring me peace and freedom, to really let God be my God. 

And if I’m being completely honest? I still get distracted. I get caught up in the day-to-day demands of life and find myself slipping into earthly gods: things like other people’s approval, other people’s happiness, or just the satisfaction of checking things off my to-do list. But the truth is, when I let those earthly gods take over, I end up feeling exhausted, empty, and resentful. 

The only way to keep God my God is to return to Him. Because when I do, the fruits are undeniable: I feel freedom. I feel peace. I feel filled, and He shines through me. I can actually pour out His love instead of running on fumes. 

But when I run after earthly gods, when I tie my worth to others’ expectations or even my own impossible standards, that image of God within me gets distorted. 

Dependence itself isn’t the problem. The real question is: Am I keeping God my God, or am I running after earthly gods? 

Let’s look at where you may be, and how we can gently remind ourselves to find comfort and security in Him. 

Keeping God Our God: Anchored in His Will 

When God is truly your God, your identity rests securely in Him. You are His beloved daughter, chosen and cherished. That kind of dependence brings freedom. It anchors your heart in peace, even when life feels messy. 

If you are a mom of toddlers, with little ones tugging at your clothes and all needing snacks at the same time, you might spiral into frustration and feel like you’re failing. But if you pause and acknowledge you were chosen by God and the perfect mom for these kids, you are no longer defined by the chaos. Your worth isn’t in how well you manage the noise but in belonging to the One who loves you. 

Earthly Gods: Chained to What Cannot Save 

Earthly gods are the false substitutes we run to for identity, peace, or worth. They might look like another person’s approval, your productivity, or the sense of control you cling to. They promise security, but they never deliver. 

If you are a mom of teenagers, you may feel constant pressure to keep the peace in your home. You might find yourself tiptoeing around your child’s moods, doing everything you can to avoid conflict. It can feel like the “safe” thing to do in the moment, but afterward you’re left resentful and exhausted. That’s a sign you’ve slipped into an earthly god — the false security of being “the mom who keeps everyone happy” — instead of keeping God your God.   

You are a great mom and can be safe no matter who is around you or what mood they are in when God is your God. 

The Fruit of Each Path 

• Keeping God your God produces peace, clarity, and joy. Even in difficulty, you know your security is rooted in Him, not in controlling outcomes or people. 
• Earthly gods produce anxiety, guilt, and fatigue. They leave you drained, trying harder and harder, but never at rest.  

If you are a Catholic grandma helping with childcare, you may want to serve your family well but also need space for your own health and prayer. When you keep God your God, you can lovingly say, “I’m able to watch the grandkids twice this week, but not every day.” That boundary, rooted in His truth, protects your peace and keeps you available for His will. But if you bow to the earthly god of fear or people-pleasing, you’ll find yourself saying yes every time — even when it harms your health — because you’re afraid of letting your children down.  

Discerning the Difference 

When you’re unsure if you’re keeping God your God or slipping into earthly gods, ask yourself: 

• Am I doing this because God asked me to or because it’s what I expect of myself or what I think others expect of me? 
• If this is something God is asking, can I do it in a way that feels peaceful and simple, or am I overcomplicating it out of perfectionism or pressure? 
• Does this choice draw me closer to God’s presence and His fruits, or does it leave me anxious, resentful, or disconnected from Him?  

Keeping God your God never removes sacrifice. But it roots those sacrifices in love of Him, not fear of rejection. 

Moving Toward Peace 

The shift begins with surrender. A simple prayer: 
“Lord, show me where I’ve made earthly gods out of my to-do list, others’ approval or perfectionism. Restore me to Your Will, where true freedom and peace are found.” 

From there, we can take small but powerful steps: 

• Saying yes when God calls — not just because we feel pressured. 
• Saying no when a request pulls us away from your vocation or health. 
• Checking in with Him before rushing to fix others. 
• Allowing yourself to be loved as His daughter — not only as a doer.  

The Invitation 

Catholic moms in every season, whether juggling diapers, navigating teen drama, or balancing grandparenting, are invited into this same freedom. The question isn’t if you depend, but where. 

Dependence isn’t the enemy. Misplaced dependence is. 

When you keep God your God, you no longer live in the shadows of others’ moods or expectations. You live in the light of His love. And that, dear sister, is the path to peace.  

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Copyright 2025 Denise Jelinek
Images: Canva