Today’s post is a guest post from Janelle at The Smudge Curve. I think it’s a lovely reminder of God’s promises and hope after miscarriage.
It’s been about a month since my miscarriage, although to me it still feels like just yesterday.
Most days I’m okay; as long as I don’t think about it the pain stays away. But then there are things that trigger the downward spiral of emotions.
Reading articles about miscarriage…
Talking to friends who’ve also experienced miscarriage…
Seeing the body pillow that I bought for my expanding belly that I no longer need…
The seemingly endless (and unusual) spotting during my first cycle after the miscarriage…
But the most painful reminder? Being around my pregnant friends.
Sigh.
It’s a struggle against jealousy, resentment, and anger; and a struggle for peace, acceptance, and contentment. It’s a struggle…
… to be genuinely happy for someone else’s blessing when doing so reminds you of how you lost your baby.
… to listen to prayers for God to bless them with a healthy baby when you know, for some reason in His good and perfect will, that He didn’t do that for you.
… to finally, after over a year of “trying,” feel the thrill of conceiving new life, and then to feel the intense disappointment and sorrow of that life ending all too soon.
And then I look at my precious son and wonder if he’s going to be an only child forever. It’s so easy to get lost in these thoughts.
It’s during these moments of darkness that I cling to God’s promises. Promises of hope:
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).
Promises for strength:
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).
He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength (Isaiah 40:29).
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
For grace:
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
That somehow this will work out for my good:
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
And that my biggest need has already been taken care of:
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:1-2).
Many thanks to Janelle for sharing a bit of her story. Please leave a comment below to let her know you appreciate her. Check out my Guest Posting Guidelines if you’d like to submit a guest post.
Janelle is a wife, first-time stay-at-home mom, homemaker, and former substitute teacher. But the most important thing she could tell you about herself is that she is a sinner saved by grace through the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. You can find her blogging about her motherhood journey at The Smudge Curve.
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Thank you Lisa for posting a post that involves secondary infertility. Janelle, I am so sorry for your loss. I, too, experienced secondary infertility, along with a 12 week miscarriage, 3 failed IUI’s, and a failed FET. Those of us with secondary are often not taken seriously due to the child we already have. No one knows what it’s like to experience a miscarriage unless you have done so yourself. No one understands how painful secondary is unless you’ve been there yourself. Thanks Lisa for including us and Janelle for sharing your story. It really means a lot.
Yes!!! Love your heart for the Lord and even in the middle of the pain pointing it back to Jesus!!! Thanks for sharing your heart during this tragedy!
Thank you so much, Caroline. 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing her journey. I love her heart for The Lord! Xo
A pregnancy loss is just about the worst thing in the world. I lost my son at 33 weeks and then am dealing with secondary infertility.
I’m sorry for your loss. No one should ever have to deal with that.
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your little one — my heart aches for you. May the Lord give you strength and healing during this difficult time.
To all of you who have miscarried or lost your children when you were so close to delivery, my heart goes out to you. I truly understand your pain. I miscarried at eight weeks after trying to get pregnant for four years. I was never able to conceive again. So we adopted our children. For us, that was God’s plan. And it was a blessed one!
May God bless each of you as you struggle through these difficult days and make His presence and His purpose for you crystal clear.
With tenderness,
Janis
Thanks for the beautiful comment, Janis.
I’m glad you could find hope and encouragement in those verses! Sometimes we need those reminders.
Thanks, Shell!
He lifts you up when you are at your lowest point. I am happy you found the strength to move forward I am sad you had to go through something so heartbreaking. .Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop xo
I’m so sorry for your loss. I totally understand what you mean about all your emotions right now- it honestly took me a very long time after losing our baby too. It was so hard, but you are so right that God has already met all of our needs and walks alongside us giving us strength. I think the hardest thing I had to deal with was people saying, “It’s better this way” because when you’ve been there, you know it isn’t better this way nor is that really honoring to God so I wrote a piece here http://uncommongrace.net/2014/05/19/its-better-this-way/ I’m keeping you in my prayers!
Thank you for the kind words and prayers. It has been comforting to connect with others who have experienced similar situations.
What a beautifully written and honest post about miscarriage. Great guest post too. I am so sorry for your lost and the struggles you have to go through daily when the pain comes back. I hope a baby is in your future for you and I really wish I could take your pain away. Biggest hugs and I wish I had better advice for you. Thanks for linking up to Share With Me and sharing your story! #sharewithme
Thank you for the kind words, Jenny. 🙂
I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope that you are able to go on and fulfil your dream of another baby; in the meantime be kind to yourself x x x