Those Who Sow in Tears

It’s national infertility awareness week and being in ministry working with women going through this season, I feel like I can’t not make a post. I could jump on here and quote statistics all day long, but surely you are seeing enough of those in your feed already. So instead, I’m going to share my heart.

The season of infertility in my life was a very hard and painful one. I would not have decided to go into ministry without it though. Before I was able to conceive my children, God used that season to take me on a journey of growth. This particular verse was one that He brought to me over and over again.

We could place our hope in modern medicine. We could place our hope in our own efforts and those of our spouse. We could place our hope in getting a positive pregnancy test. But putting our hope in those things can leave us empty, because ultimately they cannot satisfy. They are beautiful, wonderful gifts from the Lord, but misplaced Hope sets us up for disappointment and idolatry.

It is only when we get to a place where we are waiting for the Lord and putting our hope in His word that we can be truly satisfied. I actually read a fantastic book about just this thing during my season of wait, and I am more than happy to send a link if anyone wants it (no matter what you are waiting on answers for). And more often than not I have seen in my own life and in that of others, that ultimately God will restore. He has a plan, and his timing and ways are far better than our own.

So if you are struggling today, friend, I want to encourage you to evaluate where you are placing your hope. Wait for the Lord and hope in Him alone. Use the gifts that He has made available to you, absolutely! But do not let those be where your hope is found. He promises in Psalm 126:5 that “Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy!”