12 Bible Verses To Prepare You For Birth

No matter how much you can prepare for labor and birth there are still moments where doubt or anxiety may creep in. Birth is unpredictable and we as humans don't like unpredictable. We like to be able to be in control. What a beautiful picture of surrender to the Lord that birth is! We get to practice putting our trust in Him in the midst of the unknown - in the midst of discomfort. God knows, and He cares. I don't know about you, but nothing calms my heart and mind more than the Word of God. Christ is the Solid Rock after all. And He will hold me fast (great song). I have 12 Bible verses that I had gathered before the birth of my second that brought me so much peace and comfort as I meditated on them in the last weeks of pregnancy. I even wrote them out on little cards to put up in my birth space and I asked my husband to make sure he read them to me during contractions. Feel free to do the same, or if you're really ambitious you could memorize them all. Number 10 makes me a little emo without fail.

1. Psalm 94:18 "When I said, 'my foot is slipping' your unfailing love, Lord, supported me when anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy."

2. Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

3. 1 Samuel 1:27 "For this child I prayed and the Lord has granted the desires of my heart"

4. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

5. Isaiah 40:29 "He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."

6. Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid: do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

7. Psalm 71:6 "Yes, you have been with me from birth: from my mother's womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you!"

8. Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you: do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you: I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

9. Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though U walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me."

10. Psalm 139:13 "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous - how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."

11. Isaiah 46:3 "I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime - until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will carry you along and save you."

12. Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

-Ashley