Focus on this scripture throughout the day. It’s God’s Word about His promises being firm and true for you in Jesus’ finished work on the cross. It’s what He desires us to believe. Believe it is true for you because God’s Word is Truth.
Use it as an affirmation. Speak this Word to yourself throughout the day. Personalize it by putting your name in it!
I recently hosted and facilitated a retreat to help women who are struggling with infertility. The iHope Fertility Retreat helped women attending from across the country to:
Workshops at the iHope Fertility Retreat were based on the content of my book, A Seed of Hope: God’s Promises of Fertility. We discussed many topics that helped with increasing trust in God such as God’s lavish and unending love and His faithfulness to always follow through on His promises. The weekend was filled with revelation and spiritual growth as we held open and honest discussions centered on God’s promise.
In addition to hearing my personal story of victory over infertility, attendees were empowered through video testimonies of other women who have overcome infertility. Guest speakers provided encouragement and fun insights. Activities and props enhanced the lessons learned in the workshop sessions.
A personal chef provided delicious and nutritious meals that incorporated natural, “good for you” foods because the goal was to feed the women “as if they were pregnant.”
The iHope Fertility Retreat provided an environment to recharge each woman’s spirit by tapping into what God says about infertility in the Bible. Learning how to increasingly trust God’s love and believe His fertility promises in the Bible helped the women to experience enhanced peace.
I was excited to share spiritual strategies and solutions that specifically related to infertility and empowered women to leave with a more hope-filled focus for having a child!
If someone you know is struggling with infertility, invite them to contact me about the next iHope Fertility Retreat, which will be held in Fall 2014.
Monday’s Marinade is provided to you as a means of “soaking yourself” in the hope-filled Word of God at the beginning of your week. Start your week by meditating on this Word. Repeatedly think about and quietly say it to yourself. Marinate and season your week with hope and a confident expectation of good things happening!
Here’s your spiritual marinade for this week:
If you’re in Arizona this weekend, join me for the RESOLVE Walk of Hope.
It’s an easy walk around Eldorado Park in Scottsdale, AZ that takes 30-45 minutes to complete.
Registration will begin at 8:00 AM and the Walk begins at 9:00AM.
There will be lots of fun activities for everyone to enjoy! The Arizona Walk of Hope is pet-friendly. Bring your dog to join the walk and enter the fur-baby costume contest. There’s also a moon bounce, massage booth, and more! All Walk activities will be completed by 11:00AM.
The Walk of Hope will raise funds that will support local programming, public awareness initiatives, and advocacy efforts to ensure that all family building options are available to all.
The weather should be beautiful!
I’ll be at the Authors Table sharing my books, A Seed of Hope: God’s Promises of Fertility, and Infertility Sucks! How to Maintain Hope in Your Marriage During Infertility. Please stop by and introduce yourself. I’d love to meet you, encourage you, and give you gift.
Focus on the following scripture throughout the day. It’s God’s Word and it’s what He desires us to believe. Believe it is true for you because God’s Word is Truth. Use it as an affirmation. Speak this Word to yourself throughout the day. Personalize it by putting your name in it!
Have you ever found yourself asking the question, “What about me, God?” If you’re struggling with infertility, you might ask that question frequently. Maybe every time you see your friend with her newborn. Or when you’re at the park and see kids on the playground. Even at church when parents have their infant dedicated to the Lord. Your heart may cry out often and that’s OK. Just make sure you’re listening for His answer just as frequently!
How do you attune your ears to hear Him?
How do you listen for His encouraging words to soothe the pain of waiting?
Do you focus on His love for you?
Sometimes we get so focused on the problem of infertility, we forget to look to the Source of the answer to the problem— God’s love. You may not doubt that God can heal you. But do you find yourself doubting that He will heal you? Jesus, in Matthew 8:3, reassured the leper who wanted to be healed that He was not only able to heal him but that He was also willing to heal him. Then, in His loving way, Jesus reached out and touched the man who had a very contagious disease and had not been touched by another human being in who knows how long. That touch of compassion helped the man feel accepted and loved.
Can you see yourself in that situation? Can you see that Jesus loves YOU? That He wants you to believe that He is willing to change your circumstances? Jesus was the physical manifestation of God’s love (John 3:16). When you look to Him as being your source, you stay focused on the display of God’s love for you and begin to see His Light and Life in your life.
Remember, let your focus be on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) so you can grow in your confidence of God’s love for you. You’ll experience more peace and maintain hope as keep the eyes of your heart on the manifestation of His love for you.