Finding Hope When Pregnancy Loss or Postnatal Challenges Are Expectedਨਮੂਨਾ

It’s so easy to fret and fear on the best of days, but when life as we know it has been shattered by prenatal diagnosis, that’s when the battle for our minds moves into high gear. Fears of future scenarios fill our minds. Fears for our marriages, our families, our preborn children, our desired lives. The what ifs begin to plague us. What if this happens? What if that happens? And if we aren’t careful, our thoughts can spiral out of control leaving us a frazzled tangle of worry.
But there’s another way—a better way. Philippians 4:6-7 says:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
I memorized this verse soon after receiving the prenatal diagnosis for our son. I wanted to remember to bring my every worry and fear to the Lord, trusting that He would bring peace to my mind in return. And so I prayed. While I drove, while I washed the dishes, while I folded laundry, I prayed for the health of both preborn twins, for strength, and for a miracle.
I also peppered my prayers with thanksgiving. It takes no effort to fixate on everything that’s going wrong and all we don’t have, but the reality is that there’s always something for which to be thankful. When we take our focus off all the negative, and look up to the God of heaven from whom every blessing comes, number one being Himself, our situation becomes more bearable and the weight of fear and dread begins to lighten. So I thanked God for my supportive husband, family and friends, for a house to live in, for resources to prepare for the twins, to name a few.
Within a short time in the most inexplicable way, the Lord took my anxieties and sadness and replaced
them with His peace. This enduring peace carried me through my pregnancy as I continued to present my requests to God each day. The situation hadn’t changed, but the Holy Spirit enabled me to move forward confident of His presence with me.
Your pregnancy and faith journey may look different than mine, but we serve the same God. If He could be there for me in my impossible situation, I know He will be there for you. I encourage you to pray and surround yourself with others who will pray for you, and may the peace of God guard your heart and mind as you move forward one step at a time.
Questions:
What is one fear or anxiety that you can bring to God today?
What is one thing you can thank God for today?
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you that I can present all my requests to You, no matter how big or small. Thank you for the blessings in my life that all come from Your gracious hand. Please fill me with the peace that surpasses all understanding so that I can have the strength to endure the journey before me. Amen.
ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਸ਼ਾਸਤਰ
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