Today, is Lie #4 of the “4 Lies the Barren Woman Believe” mini-series. Be sure to check out Lie #1, Lie #2, and Lie #3 leading up to this one, if you missed them. And may the Truth set you free!
Lie #4: God has forgotten me, otherwise, He would have given me a baby by now.
Truth: God never forgets.
And He has such tender words to the barren woman in Isaiah 54 (I encourage you to read that chapter):
Do you know what God tells the barren woman to do? Sing.
(Sounds crazy, I know.) But, He first tells her to “sing,” and lift up her voice. Because He is going to enlarge her territory. And next He says, “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated…” (Isaiah 54:4a NIV)
But isn’t that the fear…that you will be ashamed? Disgraced? Humiliated? Forgotten?
These fears come from the evil one, and not from your Abba Father.
Maybe your body has failed you, maybe people have failed you, or you have failed people. But you know what? He never fails. His love never fails. And so you can put your hope in Him.
He says, “For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but My steadfast love shall not depart from you, and My covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” (Isaiah 54:10 ESV)
You can put your hope completely in Him. No matter what happens this week, this month, or this year. His steadfast love shall not depart from you.
And then He says,
“O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires.” (Isaiah 54:11)
I don’t understand all of Isaiah 54 in it’s entirety, or what is symbolic and what is literal. But here are some things that this chapter points about God’s character and His love for the “barren woman”:
He sees you.
He speaks tenderly to you.
You are not forgotten.
He is going to expand your territory.
His love for you will not be moved—even if the mountains come crashing down.
He will not fail or forsake you.
He will take away your shame. Forever.
He is building a beautiful foundation for your life.
Oh beautiful one reading this today, It’s time. It’s time to stop wallowing in the darkness. For He has ordained your life with purpose. Can you sense it?
Today, you are alive.
You are bursting with life–if His Spirit lives in you.
Today, you are Beloved Daughter.
You are precious, and honored in His sight.
Today, God is gracious and kind.
He delights to give you a thousand gifts you could never deserve.
And He is full of grace and truth.
Today, He is establishing His beautiful purpose for your life.
Today, may the Spirit of Truth come rushing in and cast out every lie. Every single one. So that you will know the Truth, and speak the Truth, and believe the Truth–and that the Truth will set you free.
Be sure to check out Lie #1, Lie #2, and Lie #3 leading up to this one, if you missed them. Or, some other posts you might like are:
“Where Is God When You Can’t Get Pregnant?”
That Moment You Decide You Want To Be A Mom
I came across your blog in one of those anxiety “google search” moments you go through while TTC. I remember i typed “where’s God when you are struggling with conceiving?” and your blog popped up like if it was meant to be. Since then, every post I’ve read brings me to tears. Tears that feel like freedom to my doubts, fears and questions. My husband and I have been TTCing for 18 months going to 19. Words can’t describe what we’ve been through. I never thought I could be filled with so much joy of marrying the love of my life, having stable jobs, amazing families, traveling and just living a dream but yet not being able to conceive. Having God answer every desire of your heart but yet no response when it comes to conceiving. Life has definitely been a roller coaster for the past 2 years.
Thank you for writing all these post, you have no idea how much my spiritual life has changed since I’ve been reading your post. May God always use you, and bless you abundantly.
-Rosa
Rosa,
When I read your comment several days ago, I got choked up and had tears in my eyes. I am so moved by what you have shared, thank you for your honesty about where you are at. I remember those frantic Google searches myself. One of the reasons I started this blog was because I wanted to share the things I wish someone shared with me about infertility and barrenness. But I struggled alone for the most part–to afraid to talk to people about “trying” and not being able to concieve. Anyway, your words remind me of the reason I started writing at all. It’s for the woman struggling quietly with real questions and challenges in her heart, and who just needs God to invade her atmosphere, and show her He is real, and He does have a plan, and He hasn’t forgotten her. So thank you, your words mean much more than you know. And I am honestly delighted to know God is speaking to you, comforting you, and calling you more deeply to Himself. That is the best thing I could ask for. Feel free to keep in touch–much love to you. I pray God fully satisfies all the desires of your heart, in His time, and in His way!! <3, Rebekah
I recently miscarried after almost three years of infertility (I have endometriosis and conceiving without any medical help was a wonderful miracle). I have had so much emotional, spiritual and physical pain, but I still believe God will restore me, guide me and bless me. You have no idea what a blessing your blog has been in my life. I burst into tears when I come here.
“Only God Can Give Children. As much as you want to ‘give’ your husband the child you feel he deserves, the pressure is not on you sweet girl. It is not your burden to carry.”
Thank you for this! You cannot imagine how much I needed this today.
Greetings from Northern Europe. 🙂
Suz,
First I want to say, my heart goes out to you. I can’t imagine the pain and loss you must have felt with miscarrying, especially after such a long awaited miracle. I pray one day you will see that little one in heaven, waiting for you. In the meantime, may God bring full healing to your womb, and your spirit. You sound like such a beautiful person, and you are the very reason I started this blog in the first place. It was to encourage the woman who felt barren and needed to see God’s beauty. I pray that He comforts you and holds you close and reminds you that you are not forgotten. And you are so very loved. What an honor to have you reading. I often forget that people can read from so far away as you are. I do believe that God has connected you here, and please keep in touch. May He fulfill your desires and bring about His beautiful purpose for you life.
xo,
Rebekah
Thank you so much for writing this. This totally spoke to my soul and my struggle. I have my high and low days and feel so lonely. It’s hard to completely share to my spouse exactly what I’m feeling. I try to meditate on God’s truth but it’s hard to find comfort to my emotions.
God has shown us breakthrough in many aspects of my life, so i’m completely stumped right now. We don’t have any issues, it’s just unexplained. We’ve tried eastern and western methods for 3 months and have been trying for a year. Even though it’s not a super long time, I still feel as though there is something wrong, maybe not physically, but maybe blocking spiritually…then there’s cycles of fear in my mind, that is not from God.
Thanks for this great reminder that we are not forgotten!
This is awesomely beautiful, especially highlighting God’s truth in this circumstance and I’m sharing it with friends who are going through this too!
Connie,
I am so happy to meet you and thank you for sharing so honestly about where you are at. I know how each month can feel like an eternity! Especially those couple weeks that you wonder if this month is different? And I know how disappointing it can feel each month when your period comes back. :/ It can be emotionally exhausting! Even Proverbs says, “A hope deferred makes the heart grow sick.” But I pray that God would show Himself mightily to you in this situation, especially as you cry out to Him. Keep directing your hopes, your fears, your questions to Him. He will answer you–if not with words, then with His very presence. May He show you exactly what to try, or not to try. What to pursue, and what to surrender. May He open His word to you and lead you, and give you hope. And if you are comfortable with it, maybe you want to ask some fellow Christians in your church to pray for you. I encourage you to read any of my posts under my “Trying to Conceive” category, or “About My Barrenness.” You might find them encouraging! May God give you hope as you wait on Him. I know He will answer you.
Much love,
Rebekah
Thank you so much Rebekah. Your blog is truly timely and can apply to many friends of mine. It expresses this tough subject matter in an incredible way. Also, your personal response means so much. I really appreciate it. 🙂
Connie,
You are so welcome. May the God of hope–fill you with hope in Himself! And may His Spirit lead you exactly where He wants you to be. <3
I read this with painful tears about Isaiah 54 because My God gave it many years back when i was so broken and didn’t know what to do. But friends He’s never late. I didn’t have hope or anything of such to comfort me but He comforted me through this scripture through taking the Bible as the refuge. I was send this Barren to beatiful by my friend yesterday 3rd Sep 2016 and its so wonderful to me. Am taking this as Gods way of His love to me. We waited for about 10 yrs and God came our way by giving us a very lovely boy. He is 5.5yrs and we are still waiting for another miracle from the same God. He surely will enlarge my territory. In whichever way He will, wherther through my womb or adoption as long as is His way we are okey. I have learned to trust Him and his way despite the pain.God bless you all and may He come your way.