Infertility is … By Christine V.

Over the past few months, the Lord has been nudging at me to be more vulnerable and more open about what He has been teaching me, especially through our journey with infertility. My prayer through writing this is that the Lord uses what He has laid on my heart to connect with you; to show you that you are not alone in your thoughts and that your feelings are known and understood.

Infertility Is…..

…..something different to each person. The truth is, infertility is so many things to so many people. What infertility is to me and what it is to you are just one way of showing how all our stories are so very different and yet unique.

…..no one’s fault – not yours, not your husband’s, and not God’s. The truth is, infertility is not what God has intended for any of us. God wants us to be fruitful and to prosper.

…..feeling alone, isolated, being emotionally drained, and feeling like you are not good enough. The truth is that you are not alone and you are more than enough. You are a child of the Father and He loves you more than you can ever imagine.

…..trying to be happy at baby showers or about pregnancy announcements when deep down you are wondering when it will be your turn. The truth is, it’s okay and completely normal to have these feelings.

…..struggling to connect with friends as they become moms and you realize you do not have as much in common anymore. The truth is, everyone is in their own season in life. Everyone struggles with something at some point in their life. The truth is, you still have things in common. Sometimes you need to dig deeper to see this.

…..feeling nudged by the Lord to act in faith, like Noah did when he built the ark. “Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for.” Hebrews 1:1 (The Passion Translation)

…..going to more appointments than you wish you needed to and knowing that no matter what the doctor tells you, there will be tears. The truth is, those tears can be tears of joy or they can be tears of sadness. Either way, your emotions are real and it is important to release these emotions in a healthy way.

…..going through the cycle of grief time and time again. The truth is, infertility is a loss and it’s normal to grieve something you so desperately want in your life. If you are struggling with this, do not be ashamed to reach out to someone for help. It is good to talk through these emotions with someone.

…..meeting complete strangers through an online infertility support group and making lasting friendships with people from all over the world walking the same road you are. The truth is, these friendships go beyond the common factor of infertility. They are God-designed friendships, and while infertility is a common factor, the desire for a deeper relationship with the Father is the thing that this community is built on.

…..learning to praise God in the valleys as well as on the mountaintops. “So I will praise you on the mountain and I will praise you when the mountain’s in my way. You’re the summit where my feet are. So I will praise you in the valleys all the same.” (Highlands by Hillsong)

…..recognizing that this is a season of your life and it may last longer than you want. The truth is, during every season, there is a purpose and the Lord will be teaching you every step of the way. Pruning is something that gardeners do to improve plant health or the quality of the flower. The Lord is pruning you for something incredibly beautiful and one day you will reap the harvest of this season. “And don’t allow yourselves to be weary or disheartened in planting good seeds, for the season of reaping the wonderful harvest you’ve planted is coming!” Galatians 6:9 (The Passion Translation)

…..praying and believing for miracles. “Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.” Ephesians 3:20 (The Passion Translation)

Infertility will not win because the Lord has already won. He has promised barren women that they will be a mother (Psalm 113:9). The women in the Bible who were labeled as “barren” had children (Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Samson’s mother, Hannah, Elizabeth) and these children were all very influential people in Biblical times. If God gave these women such powerful and influential children, imagine what He can do for you!