Hello again everyone. I know that it has been a while since I have written. In all honesty, things have been a little hectic recently. As my due date draws near, I have been so preoccupied with getting everything ready for my baby’s arrival, baby showers, and just trying to get the rest I need for the big day. On top of that, I had been trying to get myself mentally prepared for labor. With everything I’ve read and all the stories that other mothers share, it’s hard to wrap your mind around what the experience will be like.

            I have been waiting for this baby for a long time now. I never once doubted that I wanted a baby. However, I am not good with physical pain. So, the fact that the time is drawing near is kind of terrifying. I have been a bit anxious for what awaits me. I have been doing my best to remember this…

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” – Philippians 4:6

            Even so, it has been hard to not be anxious. However, that all changed about a week ago. My husband and I have started a Bible study group with a few friends. Last week, we decided to read Romans 8. Even though we had not planned on reading this chapter beforehand, it ended up being a huge blessing to me. All I must do is trust in God and He will give me the physical, emotional, and spiritual strength I need. I want to share with you the parts of this scripture that showed me that I had no need to fear.

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.  For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” – Romans 8:5-6

            In this verse, I am reminded that this world, this body, and everything we may suffer is temporary. Yes, labor will hurt, but it is a temporary pain that I will need to go through for God’s blessing to come. That blessing, of course, being my baby boy. However, I know that as Jesus Himself said in John 16:21, “Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world”. Therefore, I know that His blessing will be greater than any pain I go through.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” – Romans 8:18

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” – Romans 8:28-30

            God has not forsaken us. He is always by our side. Even in our sufferings, He is with us. We can search for strength in all the ends of the earth, but true strength will only come from our Lord Jesus Christ. Maybe some people don’t think that God would provide a woman in labor anything…I mean she is going through a ton of pain anyways. However, God has been providing women in labor the strength they need since the beginning of time. I mean, think of Eve. She didn’t have any of the medical advances we have today and yet she had her children as naturally as it comes. I know that God gave her the strength she needed to go through it. In the same way, I know He will provide me with that same strength.

            It is thanks to God’s faithfulness that I know that I can count on Him in my time of need. He has given me the peace that I needed to know that everything will be OK when the time comes. The same goes for all of you. Whatever it is you are struggling with right now, God can provide you with what you need to get through these tough times. We can be glad in knowing that in Him we already have the victory. Trust in the Lord your God and He will deliver you, for He will always be with you.

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:37-39