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Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Encouragement for Childbirth

As we are getting closer and closer to delivery, I have started to spend some time reflecting on scriptures that I find encouraging and helpful in light of the task that is ahead of me. I have prepared a stack of cue cards with these scriptures and have placed it on my nightstand so that I am able to read them each morning when I wake up and each night before I go to bed. My plan is that when I am in early labour, I will post them in various areas of the house so that I can read them and/or have them read to me while I am labouring. I am also going to make another set of them to pack in my overnight bag that will be ready in case we change our minds and transfer to the hospital so that I will have them there with me as well.

There are a number of verses, and all are very meaningful to me so I thought I would share them with you.

I will start with the two that I have selected as my overall labor verses...

"But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work".
- 2 Chronicles 15:7

"Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go".
- Joshua 1:9

"He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might, He increases power".
- Is. 40:29

"Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength".
- Neh. 8:10

"I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth".
- Ps 121: 1-2

"Shall I bring to the point of birth, and not give delivery", says the Lord?"
- Is 66:9

"Whenever a woman is in labour, she has pain, because her time 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".
- John 16:21

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and sound judgement".
- 2 Timothy: 1:7

"Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for Him".
- Ps. 37: 7b

"I sought the Lord and He answered me, and delivered my from all my fears".
- Ps 34:4

"Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it".
- Ps 37: 4-5

"Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother's breast. From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother's womb you have been my God".
- Ps 22: 9-10

"Because the sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame".
- Is. 50:7

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".
- Phil. 4:13

"Those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not grow weary".
- Is 40:31

Do any of you have scriptures that you have found encouraging to meditate on either while preparing for childbirth or while laboring?

17 comments:

SnoWhite said...

beautiful, friend. He will surely encourage you!

Emily said...

Those are wonderful verses! I, honestly, didn't think of any verses while in labor... I just concentrated on having a baby and thinking of the reward after all the pain.

Are you doing a home birth??? If your not are you getting an epidural? Those are life saving... with my second one I never felt any pain.


God has blessed you and he will take care of you!

Lucky in Love said...

What a great idea!!

Gina said...

My doc told me yesterday there is a good chance I'll go into labor today. Granted, I don't believe him, but it did make me a little nervous. These verses, especially the first three, REALLY set me at ease.

Penny said...

Oh, Lucy, I love this idea. When I get pregnant, I'm going to do this, too! Thank you!!!

Holly said...

Well, I feel sort of sheepish admitting that it didn't occur to me to have encouraging scriptures handy for birth...those are beautiful!
I did have music, though. Laurie has a copy of it; if you're interested, ask her about it if you haven't heard it already.

Brooke said...

i might have to steal some of these to write on my arms in sharpie for my marathon!

Katie @ Loves of Life said...

I have a whole pack of verses and little quotes somewhere around this house....I'll try to find them and type some out to you!

Katie @ Loves of Life said...

"Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in US" eph 3:20

"Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Is 41:10

Philippians 4:6-9 (Too long to type, but read :) )

"You will keep him perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You".. Is 26:3

"Give me the endurance I need so that after I have done your will, I will receive the promise..." Hebrews 10:36

Psalm 127: 3-5 (too long to type out)

and a tid-bit that was thrown in my cards:

"We women are given the opportunity to bear new life, and in so doing, to be uniquely linked to the creator of all life..." (I love this!)

xox

Susan said...

What a lovely idea. I pray that your labor and delivery go quickly and smoothly.
~Sue
http://armylifeadventures.blogspot.com

Taryn said...

Wow- what a neat idea! I love it. I wish you the best in your special time- and that God's words will help you through.

Samantha said...

this is such a good idea! I don't have kids and won't have any for a bit but still something to stick in the back of my mind for the future.

bcsmithereens said...

Back when my first child was born (he's 20 now)we had brought a Steve Green cassette & tape player to the hospital. At one point, one of the nurses told hubby to turn it off. I think it was when Steve was singing "Children are a Blessing from the Lord". It's funny now, but we were frustrated that she made him turn it off.

Mrs Anne said...

i am going to print these and read them...

i was due yesterday and am enduring contractions as we speak.

thank you.

Heather (Live.Love.Laugh.) said...

This is a great idea!!

Shaina said...

I think this is a really, really fabulous idea. You are such a smarty. :)

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

I just wanted you to know that I came across this post and just copied down some of the scriptures you used to create my own notecards. I just love this idea. And when my due date draws closer, I too will read them in the morning and before bed. Thanks for such a wonderful idea.