Broken Places(Part 2)- Infertility Questions and God.

Isaiah 55:8-9

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,     neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth,     so are my ways higher than your ways     and my thoughts than your thoughts."

God has a plan!  His thoughts and ways are very often a mystery.  I assure you that though we don't understand many times what His purpose is that there IS one.  His aim and goal in the life of a christian is to make us more like Jesus Christ.  The pain or circumstances we go through are to refine us, sanctify us and to make us rely fully on Christ.  I'm sure you've heard many times that God is our Potter and we are clay in His hands.

Isaiah 64:8

"But now, O Lord, you are our Father;     we are the clay, and you are our potter;     we are all the work of your hand."

He molds us for His glory.  He is shaping us into a vessel that can be used by Him.  Many, many times He uses difficulty, trials and those valleys in shaping us.  Many potter's use tools as they mold their vessel, an aid in making the clay become what it is intended to be.  I have a huge bucket of those tools in my basement.  I think we could compare these tools to the things we go through in life.  God uses His word, people and circumstances to shape us.  Being shaped and formed from a lump of dirt into a beautiful piece of artwork is no easy process. But, we assured:

Philippians 1:6

^" And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

One thing I have also noticed is that when I am really down and struggling the most it is because I am looking at others and longing for what they may have instead of looking to Christ. One of God's commandments is that we shouldn't covet. Sin isn't pretty and I know I've had to confess many times to the Lord for coveting something I wish I had. I am so thankful that God uses His word and the Holy Spirit to convict my heart and to help me see my sin.  Forgiveness is such a blessing.  One of the verses I've loved since I was a teenager helps so much in this area.

Colossians 3:1-2  

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

When my mind is set on Christ and His word things go so much smoother!!  That is easier said than done!  Believe me, this is no easy task.  Spending time daily in God's word, memorizing scripture and praying continually are not easy.  Having our focus be on Christ alone seems like an impossible task. Being as holy as Christ is impossible but, He asks us to be holy in 1 Peter.  All this to say, He doesn't expect perfection, He expects obedience.  Jesus was the only perfect person and that will never change.  God just wants us and calls us to be obedient to His word.  Will we mess up?  YES!  Daily!!  He just wants us to try and try and try again.  Repent and try again.  He is oh so forgiving and full of mercy. He wants us to obey because we LOVE HIM, because of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I guess this truly isn't just about infertility, it's about any struggle we have or sin that can so easily trip us up.  Though our trials and struggles ARE hard and they DO hurt, we have to look to Him.  Rest in Him.  KNOW that He has a purpose and is working in the lives of those whom He has called.  God brought this song to mind a friend of mine used to sing, "Rest" by Steve Green.

Rest the Lord is near Refuse to fear Enjoy his love

Trust, His mighty power Fills every hour Of all your days

There is no need  For needless worry With such a Savior  You have no cause to ever

Doubt His perfect word Still reassures In any trial

Rest the Lord is there Lift up your prayer For He is strong

Trust, He'll bring release And perfect peace  Will calm your mind

There is no need  For needless worry With such a Savior  You have no cause to ever

Doubt His perfect word Still reassures In any trial

Call Him, if you grow frightened Call Him, with loving care He'll lift the burden and you'll

Rest the Lord is near Refuse to fear Enjoy His love

Trust His mighty power Fills every hour Of all your days

Rest the Lord is near Refuse to fear Enjoy His love

Today, I have not stopped longing for a little one to hold.  I truly believe God placed that desire in my heart.  My circumstances have not changed but, I am diligently working on my heart and praying that God will help me focus on Him and the work He has for me now. I don't want to let my expectations and wants to turn into bitterness. When we focus on ourselves that is exactly what happens.

What is one thing you can do today to focus more on the Lord?  How can we take our eyes off of ourselves and to put them on the Lord?

I am going to spend some time praying and writing out a few verses on 3 by 5 cards.  Putting verses where I can see them during the day is so helpful.

Thank you again for sharing your hearts and hurts with me.  I am praying many of you who have told me of your struggles with infertility. May we take this trial and praise Him through it. May He alone be glorified!

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