Hello friends, I know it’s been a while but I come bearing good news! Recently, my life changed for the better: my husband and I welcomed a beautiful (if I do say so myself) baby girl into the world! The journey from pregnancy to delivery was nothing short of God showing off His faithfulness and making it ever so clear that He speaks, I just need to listen. I will share more about that journey soon. This post however, will be short and sweet – emphasis on the sweet 😉.
Towards the end of my pregnancy, around 8 months, the Lord impressed it on my heart to write down and memorise scripture for labour and delivery. As I wrote down different scriptures, I included declarations to go with them. The topics which the scripture and declarations covered were:
– strength
– control
– my thoughts– fear
The Holy Spirit also kept reminding me of the importance of meditating on scripture and having it in my heart for delivery day. It would be too late to try and cram the scripture while battling contractions, fear and whatever else was to come. Soldiers do not learn how to use weapons on the battlefield, they go through seasons of training and become used to the weapons even though the don’t need them yet. This is the same concept we should apply when it comes to hiding the word in our hearts. I am not going to say I spent loads of time meditating on the scripture because I didn’t, even though I should have. I read through them and prayed them from time to time and also told my husband about them. I had them written out on cue cards so he brought them to the hospital and read them and was able to draw from the word of God to encourage me during labour and delivery which was a great source of strength to us both!Before I was in active labour, there were a few hiccups and I was slowly becoming discouraged but God impressed a reminder of his faithfulness on my heart. Such knowledge was already hidden in my heart and the Holy Spirit drew it out for such a time as that. The word of God did not lie when it said the Holy Spirit would remind us of everything we have been taught! The enemy comes only to steal, kill and destroy, without the word of God anchoring us in a time as delicate and vulnerable as childbirth, he can so very easily rob us of our joy with thoughts that are not of God.
As mentioned earlier, the scripture and declarations were written on cue cards. I had the scripture on the front and declarations on the back – 1 or 2 cards were solely declarations. These were important for me because I did not want to speak or pray from a place of fear during childbirth, I wanted to ensure I truly believed what I was saying and that it was all in line with the promises of God in His word because it is too easy to ‘pray’ and ‘declare’ when really we have no faith but are just having a stab in the dark and hoping for the best. Just because childbirth comes with pain, does not mean it has to be a traumatic experience and even if we do experience some form of trauma or things do not go to plan, it does not mean that we can not have the peace of God which surpasses all understanding guarding our hearts and minds. God promised to never leave nor forsake us, He also told us that we have a sound mind, we also know that all things work together for the GOOD of those who love God, holding on to truths such as these can bring supernatural strength no matter the circumstances.
Here are the scriptures and declarations I used, I pray they encourage you or someone you know:
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:5 – We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ.
Declaration: I take captive every negative thought and remain in control of my thoughts and emotions.
Scripture: Joshua 1:9 – Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be dismayed for the Lord my God is with me everywhere I go (personalised it).
Declaration: God has made me strong and courageous enough to give birth without fear.
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 15:7 – Be strong and do not give up for your work will be rewarded.
Declaration: My labour/work will not be in vain, I will give birth to a healthy baby.
Scripture: Psalm 40: 1-3 – I waited patiently for the Lord, he inclined to me and heard my cry, he put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
Declaration: my baby is healthy and we will rejoice at her birth. I will sing a song of praise to my God.
Scripture: Exodus 1:19 – The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.”
Declaration: just like the hebrew women, my labour will be quick and my baby will be strong. (I actually saw the fruit of this!!)
Scripture: Psalm 56:3 – when I am afraid I will put my trust in you.
Declaration: God is in control of this process and I trust him.
Declaration: I have power, I have love and I have a sound mind because God gave them to me and his perfect love casts out all fear.
Declaration: I do not labour in my own strength, I rely fully on God.
Declaration: God has prepared my body for childbirth and he will guide my baby through the birth canal and we will not need any other interventions.