Tag: Infertility

I Got Distracted

Posted on by Evangeline
Image courtesy of Idea go/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image courtesy of Idea go/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I got distracted last week.

On Saturday, 7/27/13, I woke up with a “little ache” in my lower back. By Saturday night, nausea and a headache had set in. Relief did not come even after using the pain reliever and heating pad. With no appetite, I endured the weekend of feeling yucky, eager for the doctor’s office to open on Monday morning.  I was fortunate to get a same-day appointment. Diagnosis? Just a viral infection that “should pass in few days”.

During the eight (8!) days it took to finally feel better,  I watched TV (most of the time). My body ached for almost a week, yet the achiness did not serve as a reminder to do what I knew (focus on Jesus). Tiredness  and headache set in and I didn’t persistently look to a different source of strength after I took the pain reliever . Nausea swept through and I did not seek out alternative nutrition for the part of me that was not sick—my spirit. The headache, back ache, tiredness, nausea each became a physical distraction that I allowed to keep me from pursuing the spiritual solution to my problem.

Thankfully,  I’m feeling much better today. Looking back on this past week,  I did not follow what I’ve encouraged others to do so many times—get in the Word of God, find my answer to the problem at hand, and focus on the answer. I got distracted by the symptoms and the TV.  I feel like I wasted a LOT of time last week.  No writing, no working on goals, no online posts, and certainly no chores or exercise got done. Admittedly, I didn’t feel like doing much of anything. I didn’t even feel like strengthening my spirit by reading God’s love letter to me (the Bible).  But God so lovingly strokes me with His gentle, fatherly hand and tells me, “It’s okay, I’m still here with you.”

Proverbs 18:14 (NKJV) encourages us that, “The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit?”  Within the Word of God lies the answer to every problem we can ever experience in life. I know that. I teach that. But, I got distracted by my circumstances.  Has that ever happened to you?

Today, no more beating myself up with thoughts about what I should or could have done in the midst of that illness. All the “Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda” in the world won’t change the past nor help in moving forward. Now is the time to praise God that He kept me through those eight days and will continue to do so. Now is the time to read and marvel about how His power and favor work in my life. Now is the time to realign my focus so that I continue to look to the One who loves me and does nothing but good on my behalf.

I’m looking forward to a productive week where I handle distractions in a much more effective way. Are you?

Focus Friday

Posted on by Evangeline
Image courtesy of Anekoho / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image courtesy of Anekoho / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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. Speak this Word to yourself throughout the day. Personalize it by putting your name in it!

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” ~John 3:17 (NIV)

5 More Bible Verses Every Infertile Woman Needs to Know

Posted on by Evangeline

I paused as I wrote the title of this blog, wondering if I should give it a different title. As a big proponent of making sure that the words you speak about yourself are positive, typing “Infertile Woman” in my title made me a bit uneasy. The Bible tells us that the words we speak (and the labels we attach to ourselves) carry the power of life or death (Proverbs 18:21).

If you are struggling with infertility, do you label yourself as “an infertile woman?” I think we need to come up with some other label that designates you as a someone who is filled with hope for becoming a mother, not someone who dooms herself to endure barrenness.  Got any suggestions? I’d love to hear about them. Please put them in the comments section below.

Back to the Bible verses.

I wrote a post in February listing five verses that would be helpful in developing or maintaining hope for having a child. Here are five more:

Sunset CloudsJohn 17:23 (NLT)- “…you love them as much as you love me [Jesus]”

Lamentations 3:26 (NKJV)- “It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”

Hebrews 13: 5 (NLT)- “For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

1 John 5:4 (NLT)- “For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.”

1 John 5:14, 15 (NIV)- “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

 

What other bible verses do you depend on to give you hope?

Focus Friday

Posted on by Evangeline
Image courtesy of nuchylee / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image courtesy of nuchylee / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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. Speak this Word to yourself throughout the day. Personalize it by putting your name in it!

“I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”

~ Mark 11:24 (NLT)

Sharing My YouVersion Plan

Posted on by Evangeline

Recently, I received a request from a reader to write a Bible study plan that specifically addresses infertility and post it on the YouVersion Bible website.  [According to their website, “YouVersion is a simple, ad-free Bible that brings God’s Word into your daily life,” via your phone, tablet or computer.] YouVersion_logoREV

Because I know how much enlightenment comes from reading the Bible, I thought it was a wonderful idea and followed up on that suggestion.

I’m glad to say that I submitted a proposal to YouVersion and they have approved it! I must now craft a reading plan for them to upload to their site.

Would you please give me some input as to what you would like to have in a Bible reading plan about infertility? Would you want a scriptural guide outlining hope-filled verses to read on a daily, every-other-day, or weekly basis? Or would you prefer a plan that provides devotions for you to read in addition to the verses? Please let me know your preference (and other ideas) in the comments section below. Also, I would appreciate your prayers as I compose this plan. Thank you!

I will let you know when the plan is available for you and others to access on YouVersion. To say the least, I am very excited about providing this resource to bring hope to those in the midst of infertility  and to encourage people around the world that infertility is not too hard for the Lord! (Genesis 8:14)

Focus Friday

Posted on by Evangeline

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. Speak this Word to yourself throughout the day. Personalize it by putting your name in it!

“…by the word of Your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent (the paths of the destroyer).”~ Psalm 17:4 [AMP]

Photo source: Microsoft Images
Photo source: Microsoft Images

I Need Your Input

Posted on by Evangeline

I am planning a retreat for women who desire some additional encouragement in the midst of infertility.

Your input would be much appreciated if you complete the poll below.  You will be helping me to craft a retreat that better meets your needs.

Please let me know if a time to get away and receive encouragement sounds like something you’d be interested in attending.

Here’s a synopsis of what that time might look like and other details you should know:

  • Gather with a small group of women who are also struggling with infertility but are looking for ways to avoid the pit of despair
  • Enjoy a weekend in an intimate setting at a beautiful natural retreat center in Arizona (tentatively scheduled for September 27-29, 2013)
  • Participate in no-pressure workshops that help you address the spiritual aspect of infertility and develop/maintain a hope-filled focus
  • Take part in activities that will increase your joy, and, most importantly, allow you to spend time alone with God the Father
  • Take advantage of a low registration fee. The cost of workshop materials, activities and 5 meals would be covered in the registration fee of $279.00.

Please note, you would be responsible for your transportation to and from Payson, Arizona.

If you have questions or suggestions, please comment below OR you can email them to info@evangelinecolbert.com

Thank you for your input!

Don’t Ignore This During Infertility

Posted on by Evangeline
Image courtesy of markuso/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image courtesy of Markuso/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

This is a reprint of a post I shared in 2012. I wanted to share it again because if you’re struggling with infertility, it may prompt you to consider infertility from a different aspect and develop a greater hope.

Don’t ignore the spiritual aspect of infertility.

It is so easy to lose focus on the spiritual nature of infertility when the physical aspect overtakes your daily life. You and your spouse can become so obsessed with finding the cause and the cure for you situation that it can rob you of your peace. When you’re not experiencing peace, you’re likely to ignore the one thing that can bring about the solution you’re looking for.

It is important to strengthen yourself spiritually while dealing with infertility. Acknowledge the need to ask God for wisdom when faced with overcoming the enemy called “Infertility.” It may seem like a Goliath-sized enemy to you, but for God, “Infertility” is already a defeated foe. It is not too hard for Him. God said so when he defeated infertility in Sarah’s life (see Genesis 18:14).

Luke 18:27 states, “And he [Jesus] said, The things which are impossible with men are possible WITH (in close proximity to) God”{emphasis mine}. Join yourself WITH Him by asking for wisdom in the decisions you make, by reading His Word, and by speaking and meditating His Word.

Trust that God’s Word is true for you. It will bring you guidance, comfort, and ultimately, greater peace.

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!” ~ Isaiah 26:3 NLT

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” ~ John 14:27

Focus Friday

Posted on by Evangeline

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. Speak this Word to yourself throughout the day. Personalize it by putting your name in it!

“ Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” ~ Philippians 4:8 [NLT]

Image courtesy of [ponsulak/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image courtesy of [ponsulak/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A Prayer for You

Posted on by Evangeline

Did today have a good start for you? I hope so.

If it did not, do not fret or be stressed. Put your trust for the rest of the day in the One whose truth can change your facts, making this day, and every day, blessed.

“Father, You are our refuge and  fortress; our safe place. Thank you for Your Word, the Bible, and that every solution we need in life can be found in it. Help us to have faith in Your Word as it works in our lives. You have made the way for us to be empowered in every area of our lives through Jesus. Help us to look to Him in every situation without being distracted by our circumstances. Thank you for always loving us and being with us. Help us to accept Your love and receive all that Jesus has accomplished for us on the cross. We plead the blood of Jesus over ourselves and our family. Thank you that your grace overflows to us. Help us to believe BIG today and to live with a hope-filled focus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.” 

Image courtesy of Janet Drez
Image courtesy of Janet Drez