Faith - assurance that God's promises will never fail, even if sometimes we do not experience their fulfillment in our mortal existence.
Faith - confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1 NLT
One thing that I have found division in with IVF is the question with if Christians should even do it. I have been told by some that if God has not allowed me to have children naturally, I should accept this because it is His sign I shouldn't have a child of my own and move on. I have been asked why I didn't first run to the choice of adoption as He says that we should care for orphans. I have been told that this is allowing science to rule instead of God. But, I think that the thing that has hurt the most is saying that I shouldn't be allowed to try IVF because God has not allowed me to get pregnant naturally.
So how does faith play into IVF? Well, I put it simply. Science cannot create a life no matter how much they are involved. GOD CREATES LIFE. He develops each cell and each embryo. He makes the decision if they implant and if a pregnancy occurs. That has nothing to do with science. If anything, this has only STRENGTHENED my relationship with God and showed me how He is so involved in each step.
My answer to those that have a problem with IVF. If you had a cancer diagnosis, a cold, the flu, an ear infection, or any other medical issue, would you not seek out medical treatment? If you did seek medical treatment and used the science we have and resources we have in this day and age, would someone question your faith in God to heal? I simply believe not. It is an accepted decision to seek medical advice and treatment for any ailment and God has blessed us with these resources.
So why question my faith in what God can do and His miracles because I choose to try to conceive a baby through the resources God has provided? It will still be that much of a miracle if it does work. I have assurance that God gave me this HUGE desire in my heart to conceive a child of my own with the faith that HE will make it happen. His grace is enough. His way is enough.
I only pray my faith will not faulter if I do not ever become pregnant with my own child. But I do have the faith He has somthing great planned. Something far greater than I can ask or imagine.
So I hope you see, faith is the center of this journey. Not my faith in science or myself, but my faith in God. And to those people that say anything different, I ask that you check yourself at the door. Do not judge me or my faith. My heart has a desire that God has placed in me to proceed with this method. He has placed a blanket of peace over Alan and me. And He has grown me more in the past 6 months than I have grown in many years. His grace is sufficient. He comforts those in need. He carries us through trials and tirbulations. He has a Will far greater than anything we can imagine. And for that I have faith in my God.
One thing that I have found division in with IVF is the question with if Christians should even do it. I have been told by some that if God has not allowed me to have children naturally, I should accept this because it is His sign I shouldn't have a child of my own and move on. I have been asked why I didn't first run to the choice of adoption as He says that we should care for orphans. I have been told that this is allowing science to rule instead of God. But, I think that the thing that has hurt the most is saying that I shouldn't be allowed to try IVF because God has not allowed me to get pregnant naturally.
So how does faith play into IVF? Well, I put it simply. Science cannot create a life no matter how much they are involved. GOD CREATES LIFE. He develops each cell and each embryo. He makes the decision if they implant and if a pregnancy occurs. That has nothing to do with science. If anything, this has only STRENGTHENED my relationship with God and showed me how He is so involved in each step.
My answer to those that have a problem with IVF. If you had a cancer diagnosis, a cold, the flu, an ear infection, or any other medical issue, would you not seek out medical treatment? If you did seek medical treatment and used the science we have and resources we have in this day and age, would someone question your faith in God to heal? I simply believe not. It is an accepted decision to seek medical advice and treatment for any ailment and God has blessed us with these resources.
So why question my faith in what God can do and His miracles because I choose to try to conceive a baby through the resources God has provided? It will still be that much of a miracle if it does work. I have assurance that God gave me this HUGE desire in my heart to conceive a child of my own with the faith that HE will make it happen. His grace is enough. His way is enough.
I only pray my faith will not faulter if I do not ever become pregnant with my own child. But I do have the faith He has somthing great planned. Something far greater than I can ask or imagine.
So I hope you see, faith is the center of this journey. Not my faith in science or myself, but my faith in God. And to those people that say anything different, I ask that you check yourself at the door. Do not judge me or my faith. My heart has a desire that God has placed in me to proceed with this method. He has placed a blanket of peace over Alan and me. And He has grown me more in the past 6 months than I have grown in many years. His grace is sufficient. He comforts those in need. He carries us through trials and tirbulations. He has a Will far greater than anything we can imagine. And for that I have faith in my God.
Lauren,
ReplyDeleteI commend you on your faith and your patience through this process. As a strong believer in Christ, I do see where those who question you come from, and I don't think the issue is with you shouldn't be a parent. It all matters when you believe when a life begins. I believe that a baby/person is conceived the moment the sperm meets the egg. Therefore, when Doctors take eggs from you and sperm from your husband and mix them together, a baby is formed. The doctors then see which embryos/babies are developing perfectly in their eyes and those are the ones that the DOCTOR chooses to implant. The other embryos/babies are destroyed. I understand it is God who decides which/if the babies that are actually implanted in you take or not, and it is very hard when they do not do that and I am sorry you had to experience that.
The other issue Christians/people in general have moral issue with is the freezing of eggs. While you plan on implanting your embryos/babies that you froze, there is a danger that those children will not make it through the process of unfreezing and will be damaged and destroyed by the doctor.
As you can see, IVF is an amazing process that medical technology has allowed many people to have beautiful children, but medical technology also has a dark side and I honestly believe that because God has allowed it to be discovered does not mean that it is Morally or ethically correct.
God has allowed scientist to discover abortion, the morning after pill (plan B), as well as other medical technologies that are not morally right.
I am sorry that you are going through this process at all and that you are having to use IVF. I just wanted it to be known the other side of the argument and where people are coming from when they ask you about your decision.
Dear anonymous,
ReplyDeleteI find your ability to take a firm stance behind the cloak of Internet anonymity ironic. After all, this post is not regarding the morality of IVF, it is a statement requesting the masses to refrain from judging her faith based on her decision. She is publicly stating how she is currently trusting in God. So stand proud anonymous, I know I'm enthused you are strong enough in your beliefs to scatter then cowardly across blogs.