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Longing for Children: Facing Infertility in Marriage

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The marriage passage in Ephesians 5 actually starts with instructions to all Christians: “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (verse 21). Many times the concept of “mutual submission” is overlooked within marriage, but we need to remember that our spouse is also our brother or sister in the Lord. The Holy Spirit may speak to either one of your hearts. On a regular basis, take time to truly hear what your spouse is thinking, and give fair and prayerful consideration to all the feelings and desires.

Husbands, leading your wife in a godly and loving marriage is a weighty responsibility. Because you love her, you must seek hard after God’s best and make wise decisions together with her. Carefully research the options and bathe each choice in prayer. Where either of your hearts or bodies are involved, do not unilaterally mandate the course you will follow.

For Further Thought

Wives, are there areas where you are taking a leadership roll without listening to your husband’s insights? Ask the Lord to help you put your journey to parenthood under His authority, through submission to your husband.

Husbands, are you regularly expressing your love and support to your wife during this time of heartache? Ask the Lord to show you creative ways to treat your bride with honor and to work with her in godly decision-making processes.

Heart Treasures

Genesis 3
Judges 13
Proverbs 27:15-16
1 Corinthians 7
Ephesians 5:22-33
1 Peter 3:1-7

Burden Bearers - Ways to Lighten the Load for a Struggling Couple

Sexual tensions often run high during infertility. After the death of a baby, physical intimacy is emotionally entangled with the creation (and loss) of life. Statements such as “Do you guys know how babies are made?” or “At least you can have fun trying!” cut me to the core.

Please pray for every aspect of our marriage to be strengthened through this time of trial. Send us on a date night (a dinner gift certificate, a packed picnic basket, an offer to baby-sit our living children) or give us resources to strengthen our marriage (tickets to a marriage conference, a subscription to a Christian couples’ magazine, marriage devotional books).

Jennifer Saake and her husband, Rick, are the founders of Hannah's Prayer Ministries (http://www.hannah.org/), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help women who are infertile or have suffered miscarriage or adoption loss. Excerpt taken from Hannah’s Hope and reprinted by permission of NavPress. To order a copy of Hannah’s Hope, go to http://www.navpress.com/ or http://www.christianbook.com/.

Find this article at: http://www.crosswalk.com/marriage/1371247/

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