What Is Spiritual Barrenness

The phrase “she had no progeny” can also be used to describe a woman's infertility (as in Genesis 11:30, Judges 13:2, 2 Kings 4:14). As a result of their barrenness, these biblical women often endured tremendous humiliation, with their barrenness being attributed to some underlying wrong, fault, or flaw.

What causes barrenness in a woman?

Ovulation issues are the most common cause of female infertility. There are no eggs to be fertilized without ovulation. Irregular or nonexistent menstrual cycles are symptoms that a woman is not ovulating regularly.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a common cause of ovulation issues (PCOS). PCOS is a hormonal abnormality that can prevent ovulation from occurring normally. Female infertility is most commonly caused by PCOS. Ovulation issues can also be caused by primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). POI is a condition in which a woman's ovaries stop functioning normally before she reaches the age of 40. Early menopause is not the same as POI.

• Obstructed fallopian tubes caused by pelvic inflammatory illness, endometriosis, or ectopic pregnancy surgery
• Uterine fibroids are noncancerous tissue and muscle aggregates seen on the uterus's lining.

Is barrenness a disability?

However, the services and treatments that these states require differ significantly. In 1998, the United States Supreme Court ruled that infertility qualifies as a handicap under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

What does the Bible say about being barren?

In fact, some biblical verses plainly treat barrenness as a curse, the most famous of which being Gen 20:17–18: “Abraham then prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his slave girls, allowing them to bear children, because Yahweh had sealed every womb of Abimelech's household because of Sarah, Abimelech's wife.”

What does God say about fertility?

Christians must consider more than technology factors while making procreative decisions. Reproductive technologies do not have a zero-sum value. That is to say, just because these technologies are available does not mean they should be employed or that they are ethically acceptable. Reproductive technology decisions, like all other decisions, should be guided by a Christian perspective. Is there anything in the Bible about infertility?

First and foremost, having children is a good thing, and parenthood should be embraced whenever possible. Procreation has always been a blessing from God. “Be prolific and expand in number,” God ordered in Genesis 1:28, “fill the earth and conquer it.” In a similar vein, the psalmist declares: “Children, indeed, are a gift from the Lord. His recompense is the product of the womb. The offspring of one's youth are like arrows in the hand of a warrior. The man who has a quiver full of them is happy…” (See Psalm 127:3-5a.) “God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those who were under law, that we could receive the complete rights of sons,” says the Bible (Galatians 4:4). That is, God chose to bring his Son into the world through the procreative process, albeit through the virgin birth. Furthermore, children played an important role in Jesus' mission (see Matthew 18:1-6; Mark 10:13-16). Furthermore, the relationship between a believer and God is described as a parent-child relationship: “The Spirit himself bears witness to the fact that we are God's children through our spirits. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ . . .” (Romans 8:16-17). (Romans 8:16-17).

Second, the sovereign Lord is equally clear as to who opens and closes the womb (1 Samuel 1:5-6). While children are plainly a gift from God, the ability to bear them is a mystery that only God can reveal. Indeed, the apostle James warns Christians against being arrogant in their lives. “Instead… to say, ‘If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that,'” we are taught, rather than openly following our own inclinations. (According to James 4:15)

For believers, God's providence should not be a bleak and frightening reality. As our Father, he is always concerned with his own glory as well as our best interests, and the two never clash. While we should not apply the passage casually to those who are suffering, “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” is true (Romans 8:28). Our tragedies and traumas can be used for good by God. The purposefulness of God is one of the most reassuring aspects of the Christian faith. He never makes mistakes, makes poor judgment calls, or behaves rashly.

It may not be God's will for a couple to have children in some instances. Infertile couples should not be treated as second-class citizens simply because they are unable to conceive. It's possible that God has other wonderful and loving plans for them. Unfortunately, many couples believe infertility is always a sign of God's displeasure or punishment. That isn't always the case, though. God's will, on the other hand, may be to bring a couple through infertility before they conceive. One thing is certain: God has vowed to never lay a load on us greater than we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Finally, trials, such as infertility, are occasionally introduced into the lives of believers to urge them to pray. 1 Samuel 1 serves as a striking reminder that prayer is frequently God's chosen method of achieving his goals for us. Hannah was a childless woman who yearned for a child. Her inability to conceive had made her exceedingly depressed. She prayed so loudly that the priest believed she was inebriated (1 Samuel 1:11-15). Hannah's response to his accusation was as follows: “I'm a woman who's been through a lot. I wasn't drinking wine or beer; instead, I was pouring out my heart to God.” Hannah eventually became pregnant. Samuel was the name of her son (“heard of God” in Hebrew). Hannah's prayers were answered in the same way that all of God's children's prayers are answered: by carrying out his loving purposes in their lives.

How do you deal with barrenness?

Waiting to become a parent may be a lengthy and heartbreaking process, especially when infertility is a factor. If you're going through this, remember that you're not alone: in the United States today, 13% of women aged 15 to 44 have ever suffered infertility or used infertility therapies. This equates to approximately 7.3 million people.

It's also vital to remember that there is hope — and that you can be the parent you've always wanted to be in some way. You can have a kid using assisted reproductive technology, such as IVF or surrogacy, or another family-building strategy, such as adoption. Coping with your infertility and preparing to go on to the next stage of your life are the first steps.

Infertility is a difficult process to conquer, but coping with it is necessary if you want to have a happy family in the future. If left untreated, the emotional and physical impacts of infertility can have a long-term negative impact on your life. While it's natural to feel pain and loss as you come to terms with your infertility, it's critical to get started on building your happy family as soon as possible.

What are the options for overcoming infertility, though? Here's how to deal with infertility in a healthy way so you may pursue your ambitions of becoming a mom.

Acknowledge your feelings.

Dealing with infertility is an emotional roller coaster, which is why it's critical to acknowledge and accept those feelings rather than pretending they don't exist. When you're unable to have a child naturally on your own, it's natural to experience grief and loss, especially when it seems to come so readily to those you know and love.

However, if you don't communicate your feelings properly, it can cause mental discomfort as well as physical adverse effects. All prospective parents dealing with infertility should make an effort to be open and honest with themselves and their partners about their feelings. Only then will you be able to appropriately confront these thoughts and move forward in a positive manner.

Always be honest with your partner.

When you're dealing with infertility, it's easy to feel bitterness and hatred toward your partner, especially if you and your partner are unable to conceive naturally. And, while these emotions are entirely natural, it's critical to go through them. Your partner is the person who will be there for you more than anyone else during your infertility journey, therefore it's critical that you stay a solid team throughout. Make sure you're always communicating your feelings with them in a positive, healthy way, and don't be hesitant to get support from a reputable therapist if this becomes too difficult.

Speak with a trusted counselor.

If you and your partner are unable to communicate your feelings in a healthy manner, you should consult a fertility counselor or certified therapist before pursuing any family-building choices. Infertility is difficult to overcome, and there's no shame in seeking help if you and your spouse are finding the stress and disappointment of this road particularly demanding. If you already have a relationship with a fertility clinic, they can probably connect you to someone who has experience with couples in your position.

Understand your options.

The feeling of powerlessness and not knowing what to do next is one of the most difficult aspects of suffering with infertility. If you're in this circumstance, many professionals can help you better understand your infertility options — and when you better understand your options, you better understand what actions you can take, which can help you be more optimistic about where you are in the process.

Join an infertility support group.

When you're dealing with infertility, it can be aggravating to receive well-intentioned but ineffective advice from friends and family members who don't fully comprehend your situation. It can be beneficial for some optimistic parents to hear from others who are dealing with infertility. An infertility support group can give this form of community; the National Infertility Association has a list of groups organized by state here. You might find the support and stories of optimism you're seeking for by chatting to people who are at various stages of infertility.

Find healthy outlets for your emotions.

When you're dealing with infertility, the stress and sadness can be overwhelming, and you may not always feel like talking about it. Find alternate ways to cope in these situations, such as writing in a notebook, going for a walk or exercising, volunteering for a cause that matters to you, and so on. You might try to find happiness in a portion of your life that you may not regard as “happy” right now by taking the efforts to do something positive.

Reestablish intimacy with your partner.

When you've been trying to conceive for so long, any intimacy with your spouse may feel forced or done only for the sake of conceiving — and this can have a negative influence on your relationship. It can be advantageous to try to “reignite the romance” since intimacy of any type — sexual and romantic — can go a long way toward reducing stress and helping you feel like your old self again. Make a special dinner or drink for your lover, get them a lovely present, or simply hold hands and go for a romantic stroll in the city park to reconnect with them.

Be optimistic — but also realistic.

It's crucial to stay happy and hopeful while grieving infertility. However, at this stage in your infertility journey, it's equally critical that you set reasonable goals for yourself. For example, believing that after being diagnosed with serious infertility problems, you'll suddenly conceive naturally is not a good goal to have. Instead, engage with an infertility counselor to figure out what's doable in your position and what you can do to achieve your objectives. When you achieve those little goals, you'll feel more fulfilled than if you established larger, more attainable goals from the start.

Don't blame yourself.

Accepting infertility is difficult, but it's critical that you don't blame yourself as you go through the process. In most cases, a person's infertility or inability to conceive is due to a mix of genetics and other factors beyond their control. Instead of blaming yourself for your infertility, concentrate your emphasis on the positive steps you may take to achieve your family-building goals.

Take care of yourself.

Self-care is a prevalent theme in many of these suggestions. The various stages of conquering infertility might be daunting, but it's critical to keep your emphasis on yourself at all times. Your infertility journey will be less debilitating to you and your relationship if you are healthy and happier. Take time for yourself in whatever way suits you best, even if things appear to be too challenging.

Many family-building professionals want you to address these feelings before moving forward with their programs, thus overcoming infertility is the first step toward realizing your parental ambitions. If you're having trouble dealing with your infertility, seek help from a specialist. Accepting infertility is a difficult process that no one should have to go through on their own.