I’m Pregnant. These two words dramatically change our lives. A pregnancy is a time of excitement and joy. Yet, there are times when this news can be a real shock. Plus, finding out about a pregnancy during a stressful time or difficult season can be disorienting.  Feelings of joy can be overshadowed by a stream of other emotions and questions. How can we afford the birth of anther child?  I thought we were done? Will our family be able to help? Do we have the space? Will there be health issues? We must remember that our response to the news of a pregnancy can either encourage our spouse in a profound way, or create wounds and hurts that could endure long after the baby is delivered. We must remember that a pregnancy is an opportunity for profound growth in our faith and relationship with our spouse. Below are three ways you can grow in your walk with God during a pregnancy.

You can Grow in grace toward Your Spouse.

Stress can do wild things in our lives and marriages. Uncertainty can breed new levels of irritability. Fatigue can strain more your body and mind. New levels of hormones complicate feelings and responses. It’s not easy! A new level of grace is going to be needed. Remember grace is unmerited favor and blessing given towards another person. Grace is given freely, not because the other person has earned anything. Show your spouse a new lever of grace, care and understanding. Pregnancy can be hard. Serve your spouse and show an attentiveness to their needs. Grace is going to be needed…lots of grace.

Below are a few scriptures to consider. Think about how you can apply each of them to your spouse. Be specific in how you can apply each of these passages in your life.

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

Ephesians 5:28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 

James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.

Don’t wait on your spouse to show grace. Lead out and take the first step. Start by showing your significant other a new level of kindness and compassion. In short, with God’s help you can put the other person  grace today.

You can Grow in faith that God will provide.

God knew about this pregnancy long before you had any idea. He has a specific plan from every believer. A pregnancy is a blessing that has been ordained and appointed by God. He knows what you will need. He is more than able to provide everything your family will need. Unexpected things will happen. You may be caught off guard, but God is never surprised. Do not let fear rob you of the blessing of this time. You can trust God to provide for your every need. Pray according to His word and rest in the knowledge that he hears your prayer. He will provide. Let the Scriptures below be an encouragement and build your faith.  

Hebrews 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!

Psalm 34:10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

You can Grow a kingdom Outlook on life.

Pregnancy provides an opportunity for you to grow in a kingdom focused outlook on life. The way we look at life events shifts when we are passionately following Jesus. Events like a pregnancy are viewed with new significance. Every expectant mother knows pregnancy is exhausting. Although difficult, it is also profoundly important.. The child you or your spouse is carrying is special cargo that has been designed by God for a unique mission and purpose in this world. Parents now have the awesome responsibility of doing all they can to prepare this child for a lifetime of following God in a difficult world. Your child will need every ounce of encouragement, nurturing, love and healthy patterns of discipline in their life. is not easy work but it is profoundly important.  Take a look at the  Scriptures below with an expectant hope about what God could do through your child.

Psalms 127:3-5a Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
    the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
    are the children^[a] of one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
    who fills his quiver with them!

Psalms 139:13-18 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. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! 

Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.

1 Samuel 1:27-28 For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.”

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Proverbs 17:6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,
    and the glory of children is their fathers.