At 38 weeks pregnant, the reality of labor is very near. We anticipate the arrival and long to see the joy this new baby will undoubtedly bring to our family. The Lord has been providing through the waiting with reminders of the blessing of children and the heavenly gift that children are. These verses fill my soul with longing and gladness during the last few weeks of expectant pause:
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Psalm 127:3
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.
Psalm 128:3,4
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
Psalm 139:13,14
God often uses pain as a means of drawing our attention off ourselves and on to Him. It is a beautiful process for a woman to see this pain as a means of helping her refocus her attention on her Savior, who is her provider and source of strength. Therefore, focusing on worship, Scripture and prayer during labor are appropriate responses to the process. I believe this is all a part of the sanctifying process of childbirth. Jesus promises the peace that passes all understanding. This does not mean a perfect pain-free labor, but rather the calmness to embrace God as my strength.*
Fear in labor produces excess amounts of stress hormones in our body that can lock up your muscles and limit the supply of oxygen to your uterus and baby. More fear means more pain one will experience. Acknowledging the fear and turning to the Lord for help to let go is surrender.
I believe the Word supplies us with much needed sustaining grace to enable a mother to proceed through labor and delivery. Drawing near to the Lord while learning about the physical process of childbirth glorifies the Lord.Seeking God’s will for one’s care during pregnancy and birth while trusting in His design for your body is acknowledging that He made us and takes care of us.
As I seek to rely on the Lord and wait for Him, I found it helpful to write a few verses on little cards that I keep on my nightstand. Also, these verses will be beneficial to mediate on Scripture to help conquer fears and surrender during childbirth:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6,7
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter5:7
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
Isaiah 26:3,4
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22
But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me.
2 Timothy 4:17.
With love, Damaris
FirstFruits Family 