Dear Sister Who is Due and Struggling with Fear,
You are not alone.
I know that you may feel, at times, like you can’t do this– this unknown experience of birth. You may even be believing lies or struggling with negative inner talk.
I don’t believe that, if Jesus were here, standing right in front of you, he would recommend any alternative birthing method to suppress your fears. Instead he would say, face them. I will face them with you.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in EVERY respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence, draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb. 4:15-16
Culture promotes easy fixes for everything in life. In birth, people struggle to put their hope and salvation from fear and pain in many things. They put their hope in methods. They put their hope in drugs, doctors, doulas and midwives. They put their hope and find their comfort in planning and having everything “just right.” But those are all distractions from where our hope really should be.
I don’t care how you have your baby, or where you have your baby. That’s not what this is about. That’s never been the focus.
No, my prayer for you, as a sister in Christ, is that you would lean into Him first. That you would let Him carry your burdens and your fears.
Before you go into labor, I urge you to do your relationship/heart work with the Lord. Study His word with regard to FEAR. Do a word study if you don’t have time to read the 30 pages on it in Redeeming Childbirth. Be introspective and be willing to grow. For God to show you where you are fearful and what that reveals.
1.) Acknowledge the fear- name it
2.) Go to God with It
3.) Give it to Him
Fears have been proven to slow down labor. This is a BIG deal ladies. We need to face our fears to be able to grow.
This will not be the only time you face fears as a mother. This is just one of MANY opportunities we have as mothers to partner with Christ in bringing forth life- spiritual life- as we grow through His refinement process– sanctification.
Habits. We all have them. Most of us have a habit of running from what we fear. Developing a habit of laying our crosses, our fears, our burdens before the Savior of the World is a healthy habit to get into. As a mother, you will have to do this often. What better time to start than now?
Lord,
I pray for my sister who is consumed with fear. May she find rest from the fear in You. Lord, may your Spirit reveal any lies she is believing about birth or her capabilities. May she have a restored view of how you have created her. May her confidence not be in man or method, but in the faith that you have created her to do this beautiful work for your Glory. May you be glorified as she cries out to you to give her strength, to give her faith. Lord, I pray for my sister’s labor partners. May they be your lips. May they speak your words of confidence into her life. Not that she would be puffed up in pride, but built up in a confidence in you that cannot fail. I pray that she would be blessed with peace these next few days or weeks as she awaits your timing in delivering her baby. May this be a milestone time in her life spiritually, where she grows as she seeks your peace and chooses to live in your freedom and joy. In Jesus Name Amen.
**If you are struggling with fear. There are actually 2 full chapters in the Book “Redeeming Childbirth: Experiencing His Presence in Pregnancy, Labor, Childbirth, and Beyond.” and journal questions to guide you through them as you do a study on what God’s word says about FEAR and how it relates to the expectant mother.
