“But they that wait
upon the Lord shall renew their
strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run,
and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isa. 40:31-NKJV).
Waiting is a period
until something you desire/trust God for happens or comes to pass. For example,
married couples who have not embraced a child and trust God for one are
experiencing a waiting period. A person who is unemployed or engaged in menial
jobs, but trusts God for something bigger and better is also waiting on the
Lord. Whatever the peculiar need/circumstance, every child of God will at one
point or the other, experience the waiting period.
WAITING FOR THE FRUIT
OF THE WOMB
The waiting period
differs from person to person. Some people wait for longer times in comparison
to others. The length of your waiting period is not as important as your
attitude while you are waiting.
Every married woman
expects to embrace her baby. Apart from her expectation, other well-meaning
family members, friends and well-wishers also have the same expectation for
her. During wedding ceremonies, a common blessing decreed over the couple is
“by this time next year/after nine months, we shall all gather together again
to celebrate”, indicating that the couple should have birthed their first child
during this time window. After one year rolls and the baby have not come,
pressure begins to mount on the woman or both couple. In instances where the
woman is not perturbed, those around her may mock her or do/say suggestive
things to make her feel bad. She hears common questions like “what are you
still waiting for” I need to carry my grandchildren (sometimes from mothers in-law)
and other such comments. I remembered my waiting period for the fruit of the
womb; I was discussing with a particular woman and told her I wasn’t feeling
well, the next thing she did was to look very obviously at my belly. Thank God
the waiting period was not very many years and the Lord gave me children.
Waiting on the Lord
does not mean God has failed you or does not care about you. If you think like
that, you will feel dejected. Waiting period is an avenue for you to trust God
and lay hold on his promises. That is why it is important to arm yourself with
the right attitude while you are waiting. When God meets your expectation, you
are encouraged and when faced with greater challenges, you can count on Him because
He did it before and can do it again.
WHAT DO YOU DO WHILE
YOU ARE WAITING
- DO AWAY WITH ANXIETY: “Anxiety in the heart of man causes
depression, But a good word makes it glad” (Proverbs 12:25-NKJV). Maintain peace with
yourself and not get overly troubled. Sure, you should be concerned, but it
shouldn’t steal your joy or peace. Don’t ask yourself silly questions such as
the following: am I cursed? Am I barren?, Who is after me? etc.
- BE GRATEFUL: If you
are waiting on God for a child, you have other blessings. For instance, you
have a spouse which another lady is waiting on God for. Maybe you have a
thriving ministry, business, promising talent etc. The fact is that you are not barren, but born for a purpose. Childbirth is not the only index for fruitfulness. Each time you feel discouraged
or weighed down, think of every other thing that is working for you and rejoice
you have them. Be grateful for the blessings you have. That means, if you trust God for a child,
thank God for your life, health (some people are in dire need of good health),
spouse, siblings, job etc. In addition, thank God for the child you are
expecting.
3.
PRAY: What is the basis of your waiting? Do not wait hopelessly;
our faith is anchored on the word of God. Find out bible verses that concern
you and pray with them. Be expectant when you pray, believing that God has
heard you and has granted your request.
4.
FAITH DECLARATIONS: Say what God says that you desire and keep
speaking to yourself. While you are waiting for the fruit of the womb, look at
yourself in the mirror and declare you are a joyful mother of children. Declare
you are fruitful; declare the goodness of God upon your life. If you are
waiting for a spouse, declare that you are married, you do not lack a mate etc.
Align your words with your expectation, and don’t speak doom or in negation of
your expectations because your words are seeds and you will have what you say
5.
ACT YOUR FAITH: Start making preparations for your expectation.
Buy baby items, read about parenting, make a wedding list etc. Act depending on
what you trust God about.
WHAT I DID WHILE WAITING ON
GOD FOR A CHILD
Sincerely, I was
initially anxious when one year passed, and my baby had not come.
"Anxiety in a
man's heart weighs him down, But a good word makes it glad" (Prov
12:25-NASU).
However, when I got
engaged with academic activities, I had less time for worries because I was
busy meeting up for classes, making presentations, doing assignments, reading
for exams etc. I was preoccupied with academic work when I took in and
confirmed pregnant. The pregnancy progressed, and we welcomed our first child.
I know the natural thing to do is get anxious, but I’m encouraging you to do
away with anxiety, and get engaged with other fulfilling ventures.
Secondly, while I was
waiting and praying, when I go shopping for groceries, I will buy a baby item,
for instance, a feeder in one shopping, baby shoes in another, unisex wear in
another. It was my act of faith that the baby i was waiting for will use those
items. At the time i conceived, I already had many baby items.
Thirdly, I read a
Christian literature titled “Supernatural Childbirth” by Jackie Mize. I also
read the bible too. You can read about women in the bible like Hannah who trusted
God for the fruit of the womb.
If you are still
disturbed and need to speak to someone, identify someone who trusted God while
waiting and eventually got answers.
Shalom!
