Why do I not allow infertility to bring gloom and doom into my life on a daily basis? Why do I not see this as a curse or something that is totally unfair?

Don't get me wrong. There have been "those days" for me along this journey. Days where the tears flow freely and seem they will never stop. Days when my heart is discouraged. Days when I am angry about all this.

But ... there is a difference here.

Overall, that is not my outlook on infertility.

Yesterday, during Pastor Paul's sermon, it became crystal clear to me what the difference is.

My friends, the difference is God's gift of HOPE, a gift that is available to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Take a journey with me back to the time when the wise men were seeking Jesus. (Matthew 2)

We can see three sources of hope. King Herod's hope was built on power while the Jewish people's hope was built on position and possessions.

But, the wise men built their hope on the promises of God.

Long ago, it had been proclaimed that the coming Messiah, the Savior of the world, would be born.

And so the wise men set out on a journey, seeking to find this Christ Child (their gift of hope) that had been promised to them and the world.

The Bible is filled with the promises of God to his people. And because Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever, His promises still apply to His people today.

I cling to these promise of God:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Glory be to God who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more that we could ever dare to ask or imagine. Ephesians 3:20

With promises like that, what else do we need?

There lies my hope in Jesus Christ.

I rest in Jesus knowing whatever happens on this road of infertility, I will prosper, I will not be harmed, I have hope and a future ahead far greater than anyone on this earth can imagine for me.

That makes my soul rejoice! That fills my heart with joy and peace!

Even during this Christmas season when I was supposed to have already given birth to my first child or at least be pregnant!

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5

Tomorrow look for a post about the four aspects of a Biblical hope (taken from Pastor Paul's sermon):

Holy Spirit

Optimism

Personal

Enlarged

- Elaine