Thought for the day
Seven Fatal Things You Never Want To Say To Your Pregnant Wife:
7: "I finished all the Oreos."
6: "You know, looking at her, you'd never guess that Pamela Lee had ababy!"
5: "Well, couldn't they induce labor? The 31st is the Super Bowl."
4: "Whoa! For a minute there, I thought I woke up next to Willard Scott!"
3: "I'm jealous! Why can't men experience the joy of childbirth?"
2: "Are your ankles supposed to look like that?"
and the Number 1 fatal thing to say to your pregnant wife:
1. "You don't have the guts to pull the trigger."
Pregnancy, and the ensuing labor and childbirth, is not always a pleasant experience (or so I've been told!). Even Jesus made reference to the problems associated with giving birth: "A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you." (John 16:21-22)
Jesus was right. The joy of a newborn child is great enough to make up for all the pain leading up to that point (or so I've been told!). In like manner, this world is filled with pain and sorrow. Sometimes it feels like the pain will never end. It seems absolutely unbearable at times.
But we are assured that that which awaits God's people will more than make up for it all. The joy that awaits us when Jesus returns will make us forget all the trials we currently face (see 2 Cor. 4:17). The joy will be so great that we will no longer remember the anguish. That gives us hope -- encouragement to "hang in there" when things get tough.
Look to the joy that awaits us!
Verses
Romans 8:28
And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.
Exodus 23:26
All your animals will give birth without loss, not one will be without young in all your land; I will give you a full measure of life.
2 Timothy 1:9
who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
Mark 11:24
I tell you, then, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.
Proverbs 13:21
Misfortune follows up the sinful, but prosperity will overtake the pious.
Prayer
Father, You began a good work in me the moment of my conception when You created me in Your own image. Incredibly, You choose to reflect Your divine Being through my thoughts, attitudes, and actions though I am numbered among the “frail children of dust.” I place my trust in You and have found that You never fail. You never give up or abandon the work You started in my life but Your tender mercies and divine plan continue to break me, mold me, and shape me into Your image. The process will not be completed until the day Christ calls us home. Thank You, Father, for being my “Maker, Defender, Redeemer and my Friend”. Amen.
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