Preparing For Birth With Scripture

So we are now almost 31 weeks along in our pregnancy!  That means 9 more weeks left (give or take), until I undergo what I've been told will be the most painful experience in my life thus far!  Yikes!  That's scary!  I broke my left humerus bone in college while snow boarding, and that was pretty painful!  Apparently, giving birth will be much worse!  Ow!  Of course, this should come as no surprise . . . God tells us in His Word that, as a consequence of sin, women will have increased pain in childbirth.  Unlike most pain, which tells us something is wrong, this pain is not a result of any sickness or disease.  It is simply a natural part of life, and He will bring us through it if we trust Him!

So, I've been reading a couple books on childbirth: 1) The Christian Woman's Guide to Childbirth by Debra Evans and 2) The Bradley Method.  I am hoping to gain insight into labor and learn a little about what to expect throughout the whole process.  The thing I am learning most, however, is that I cannot do this without the Lord!  I could easily to be overwhelmed with fear and anxiety thinking of all the things that could potentially go wrong.  However, I know this fear is not from the Lord.  Therefore, I need to start preparing my mind now; filling it up with the truth of God, so that I can be prepared for the task set before me.  I am completely depending on Him to give me strength and peace!

For this reason, I have put together a list of Bible verses (have you noticed I'm a little Scripture happy right now! :), that will prepare my heart and mind in these last couple months leading up to the big day.  These verses will also be good to have at the hospital with me as I go through the process of giving birth to little miss Kyria!  I hope this compilation will help many of you as well!

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." ~ Phil 4:8-9

In Childbirth, I will Think On These Things:

 How All Things Work Together For Good
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." ~ Romans 8:28

What God's Word Says About Birth
"By You I have been upheld from birth;
You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb.
My praise shall be continually of You." ~ Ps 71:6


"They shall not labor in vain,
Nor bring forth children for trouble;
For they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the Lord,
And their offspring with them." ~ Isaiah 65:23


"Shall I bring to the time of birth, and not cause delivery?” says the Lord.
“Shall I who cause delivery shut up the womb?” says your God." ~ Isaiah 66:9


"A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world." ~ John 16:21


"Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control." ~ 1 Timothy 2:15


The Blessings of Children
"But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children" ~ Ps 103:17


"Praise the Lord!
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,

Who delights greatly in His commandments.

His descendants will be mighty on earth;
The generation of the upright will be blessed." ~ Ps 112:1-2

"He will bless those who fear the Lord,
Both small and great. 

 May the Lord give you increase more and more,

You and your children. 

 May you be blessed by the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth." ~ Ps 115:13-15

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward. 

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth. 

Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate." ~ Ps 127:3-5

"Children’s children are the crown of old men,
And the glory of children is their father." ~ Proverbs 17:6

"But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”" ~ Matt 19:14


"Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.”" ~ Mark 9:36-37


"But did He not make them one,
Having a remnant of the Spirit?
And why one?
He seeks godly offspring.
Therefore take heed to your spirit,
And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth."~ Malachi 2:15

Comfort That Comes From God
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." ~ Ps 23:4


"Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort,
According to Your word to Your servant." ~ Ps 119:76


"The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth." ~ Ps 145:18


". . . To comfort all who mourn, 
To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified." ~ Isaiah 61:2-3


"As one whom his mother comforts,
So I will comfort you . . . " ~ Isaiah 66:13

 ". . .For I will turn their mourning to joy,
Will comfort them,
And make them rejoice rather than sorrow." ~ Jeremiah 31:13


"who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ." ~ 2 Corinthians 1:4-5


"Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work." ~ 2 Thes 2:16-17

 Do Not Fear, God Is With Us
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."~ Phil 4:6-7


"Surely God is my help;
   the Lord is the one who sustains me." ~ Ps 54:4


"So do not fear, for I am with you;
   do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
   I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." ~ Isaiah 41:10


"Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise" ~ James 5:13


"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power" ~ Eph 6:10


"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." ~ 1 Peter 5:7

Faith & Perseverance
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." ~ Hebrews 11:1


"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised"~ Hebrews 10:35-36


"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do." ~ James 1:2-8


"In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." ~ 1 Peter 1:6-7


"I waited patiently for the LORD;
   he turned to me and heard my cry." ~ Ps 40:1


We have God-given Stength
"The LORD gives strength to his people;
   the LORD blesses his people with peace." ~ Ps 29:11 


 "My flesh and my heart may fail,
   but God is the strength of my heart
   and my portion forever" ~ Ps 73:26


 "Even youths grow tired and weary,
   and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
   will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary,
   they will walk and not be faint." ~ Isaiah 40:30-31


"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." ~ 2 Cor 12:9

God Gives Peace
"You will keep in perfect peace
   those whose minds are steadfast,
   because they trust in you." ~ Isaiah 26:3


"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." ~ John 14:27


"The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." ~ Romans 8:6


"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ~ Phil 4:7

These are the verses that have been most meaningful to me.  Do you have a particular verse that has helped you through the adventure of childbirth!?