“Never give up.”
Most people who are struggling with infertility have heard this phrase directed at them at least once. On the surface, it seems like a positive thing. Most people say it with good intentions. They want to encourage the person with infertility to keep on trying, have faith, and believe that the baby will come.
But, in reality, it can be a hard thing to hear when you’re struggling with infertility.
They may not be able to afford to keep trying.
Infertility might have taken a toll on their marriage and they’re not willing to sacrifice the relationship anymore.
There are so many different valid, legitimate reasons a couple may decide to “give up” on trying for that baby. Sometimes it can be a healthy and wise decision.
However, I do believe there are certain things we should never give up on during infertility. Deciding to persevere in these areas will benefit anyone going through infertility, whether or not a baby eventually arrives.
Prayer
No matter what happens during your walk through infertility, I encourage you to make prayer a daily habit. It might not be easy to pray sometimes, and that’s okay. Your prayers don’t have to be eloquent and fancy. You can talk to God just like you would a friend. And, even if you can’t find the words to say what you’re feeling, you can take comfort in the fact that the Bible says God’s Holy Spirit will intercede for us (Romans 8:25-28).
Never give up on prayer!
(If you’re interested in diving deep into prayer during infertility, check out my book, 31 Days of Prayer During Infertility).
Setting Goals
When you’re going through infertility, it can feel like you have lost control of your life. That’s why it’s so important to set realistic, manageable goals for yourself— especially goals that aren’t related to infertility or pregnancy. Working towards those goals will keep you motivated and achieving them will give you a sense of accomplishment. Goals are also helpful in preventing you from being all-consumed by infertility.
Never give up on your goals!
Nurturing Your Marriage
One of the hardest aspects of infertility is the toll that it can take on your marriage. It’s a sad reality that couples who face infertility are more likely to end up divorcing. Take time for date nights (especially because they’ll be harder to come by if you do have your miracle baby), seek marriage counseling, learn to communicate better, and surround yourself with people who will encourage you in your marriage.
Never give up on nurturing your marriage!
(Read all my posts on marriage here).
Your Faith
It can be so hard to believe that God has good things in store for you when those pregnancy tests keep coming back negative, or when those miscarriages keep happening. But we have to remind ourselves that God is love. He is the essence of goodness. We may not understand why our story is unfolding a certain way, but we have to keep faith that He really does have wonderful things in store for us– even if they don’t look the way we thought they might.
Never give up on your faith!
What are some things you have decided not to give up on during infertility? I’d love for you to share your thoughts in the comments!
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