Thursday, June 28, 2012

Pain, Infertility, and The Church

There is a problem in the Church that needs to be addressed. It's a problem with the way the Church handles pain and the people who are going through it.

This post can apply to any type of suffering or pain, but because I am going through infertility, that is the example I'm going to use. 

Like I've said before, I usually don't like to get into my faith much on this blog, but I really think this is something that needs to be addressed.

We are supposed to bring all of our burdens to Christ (Psalms 55:22). Shouldn't we be able to bring them to the Body of Christ, the Church, as well? We should, but unfortunately, many church members just don't want to deal with someone who is going through hardship.  Churches are handling infertility the same way that the world does. They want to sweep it under the rug, not talk about it, and ignore it. As Christians, aren't we called to be different?

After my husband and I had been diagnosed with infertility and were going through all the various tests that come along with that diagnosis we turned to our fellow believers for support. I was quite vocal about my feelings about what we were going through. I thought it was a safe place to do so. It wasn't.

I encountered an attitude of, "Just pray about it and then get yourself together." I was told that voicing my unhappiness with my situation was sinful and that I was bitter. Many people told me that my infertility (a medical condition) was all part of God's plan. I've never had anyone tell me that me being diagnosed with Crohn's disease was part of God's plan, so why do people think it's okay to say that about infertility?

I felt very much shut out and unwanted because I wasn't pretending that my life was just great. When did the idea that you have to be happy all the time to be a Christian come along? Read the book of Job, Lamentations, or the Psalms. Those guys were struggling and they were VERY open with their feelings.

The sense of, "you don't belong here, just go away," that I got from my brothers and sisters in Christ  during that time period has made me very hesitant to go to church. I feel the need to protect and insulate myself. Infertility has already made me feel like an outsider. I didn't need that to be reinforced by other believers.

I know that I am not alone in these feelings. I've heard them echoed by SO many women who are Christian and are infertile. They are told that they need to be patient, trust God, and just pray. The end. Not many people want to hear about what they are really feeling or how hard what they are going through is. 

It's true, I have changed. Pain has changed me. If you can believe this, I used to be one of those bubbly people who was an eternal optimist and loved being around people almost all the time. That has obviously changed. The parts of myself that were so hopeful had to be deadened to protect myself. Imagine what hope followed by horrible disappointment every month would do to the mind of an optimist. I also don't like being around large groups of people anymore. It's hard for me because I'm just not myself anymore. I hope that I get those parts of myself back someday, but they just aren't here right now.

There is a quote I pinned on Pinterest. It says, "Love me until I'm me again." That is what I need from those around me. That is how the Church needs to approach people who are suffering. Understand that when someone has been going through something awful long enough it changes them. Love them until they are themselves again.

Jesus called the suffering to come to Him. Shouldn't we, the Church, be doing the same? There is an astounding lack of compassion in a faith whose greatest commandment is Love. Let's bring some of that back.

18 comments:

  1. This is a great post and I agree 100%!! Thankfully our church community has always been very, very supportive and kind to us. Of course there are those that say very, very dumb things. But, overall they've been kind. However, I was shocked when trying to find support from who I thought were close friends and in other Christian circles. We've heard all the insensitive things you've written about in here and I completely agree with you!

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    1. Thank you for the feedback! I always love comments. I am so happy that you have had such a positive experience from your body of believers. I LOVE hearing stories like yours. I've just heard from so many women from so many different churches that they aren't getting the support that they desperately need from the people that should be welcoming their heartache with open arms. I want that to change.

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    2. What a miracle i never believe there is cure because my doctor tested me Herpes positive and she told me there is no cure, i’m very happy today that i’m having a free life without this sickness, i can remember some months ago when i was crying all through the night and day that i can’t get cured from this sickness, i found this herbal man email on internet when i was doing research on cure for Herpes i contacted him to found out if i can get help from this sickness, i was so surprise when he told me that he have the herbs cure to it and he sent me the herbal in less down 2-3 days i was so happy when i get someone giving me hope that he can cured me i took the herbal for just 2 weeks, when i went for test after taking the herbal i found out that i am cured i was so happy and surprise, i want to use this opportunity to inform you that there is cured to Herpes you can also contact him for his help as soon as possible so that you can get rid of this sickness once and for all you can reach him through this email: chiefdrlucky@gmail.com or whatsApp him on +2349065398067 You can also contact him on any sickness in this he all have the herbal cure to it


      Delete
  2. I have felt this way, quite often actually. Chad and I were lucky to have found ourselves in a church that declares it's a "place for people under renovation." Infertility was the beginning of the most broken (and ongoing) part of my life. It's been tough.

    I think people say "just pray about it" because they don't know what else to say. And by all means, DO pray about it. But take care of yourself as well. Take care of yourself and know that Christ loves you better than people know how to show. <3

    Also, even if it is part of God's plan, it doesn't make it any less painful. I wish people would stop saying that.

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  3. My parents, very devout Catholics and good Christians are starting to feel like that about the church now too. I remember a time when the church saved a lot of what their life was and now, well they just don't want to be there as much anymore.
    There definitely is a lot of feeling about "Don't bring your problems to us" attitude going on. I don't know where or why that started. I was always taught that your church should be your safe haven...not so much anymore.

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    1. Don't think I am bashing churches or Christians. I am not. This post is about encouraging Christians to have a greater empathy for their brothers and sisters in pain and those outside the church that are hurting.

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    2. My partner and I have been trying for a baby for over seven years, Finally i am now a mother now

      Anyone with this problem should please do contact doctor climent Scott now he will help you too

      -- trying to get pregnant for years
      -- Irregular Menstrual Cycles
      -- Delayed Periods
      -- Endometriosis
      -- Ovarian Cyst
      -- Miscarriages
      -- High Prolactin
      -- Hormonal Imbalances
      -- Low Sexual Drive

      I will only advice every other woman TRYING TO GET PREGNANT or have Fallopian tube issues, pcos and other infertility problem too do their research and don’t base your option only on anyone’s advise, I did and it resulted in waste of money and time. contact Dr climent on email: drclimentscott@gmail.com because I have discover Dr climent. long time ago and I would have been pregnant earlier if I follow my heart and buy the herbal herbs but I disregard it because of my doctor’s advice and I am annoyed at myself but at the same time I am happy that I made the wise decision by going back to Dr climent, for his herbal herbs. Now I am a strong believer of this herbal herbs natural medicine. Thank You.contact Dr climent for bringing this joy into my home am so happy at last am now a mother of twins am the happiest woman on earth thank god i came back for your herbal herbs i no so many marriages out there finding it difficult to conceive i will surely encourage them to have fate and contact you on your email or number for help contact Dr climent now via drclimentscott@gmail.com drclimentscott@gmail.com Or his whatsapp number. +2347036879479 drclimentscott@gmail.com
      +2347036879479 +2347036879479

      Delete
  4. Hi, I found your blog by randomnly clicking around on someone else's blogroll (can't even remember who it was now, haha). This post is so dead on some of the feelings I have been having about faith and infertility. We have purposely not told a lot of people at our church about our struggles because I'm afraid of the reactions that you have decribed in this post. Infertility is such a faith altering journey..sometimes it makes you stronger, sometimes it seems to make your faith weaker. I always try to remember that people sometimes do not know what to say, so their words can be hurtful. But Christ is my ultimate supporter, so when those in His body have failed, I know that he still has not failed me, even if it seems like that because His followers have not been supportive of my struggles. Sorry that was a long rant, but I really hope you can find the support you need, whether that be in church or somewhere else.

    P.S. Maybe we will be cycling together in September...I might be doing an IVF then as well :)

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    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you found my blog! Thank you for commenting. If you have a twitter account you should follow me. It's a private account, but I accept almost every request. That way we could keep up with each other as we are going through IVF! :-) Thanks again for reading!

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  5. Such a great blog post - thanks for sharing!

    My experience has been similar but mostly from the leadership in the church, which is a shame. Many of the individuals we have spoken to have been responsive and comforting, which is such a blessing.

    However, after our second miscarriage (after years of infertility) one of the pastor's asked us what they could do to help. When we asked for them to acknowledge the loss publicly like any other loss, they told us they couldn't do that as it would "make some people feel uncomfortable." We were floored and felt very invisible. Sigh...

    Anyways, thanks again for your post :)

    All the best!

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    Replies
    1. Oh Rachel, I am so sorry that you had an experience like that and I am so sorry for the loss of your child. As Christians, we value life in all of its stages and I am shocked that your pastor denied you the public acknowledgment of the loss of your child. That just makes my heart hurt so much for you. I hope and pray that you and your husband find support that comes from a place of true love and understanding.

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  6. This great man called Priest Babaka of babaka.wolf@gmail.com helped me with a pregnancy spell. i have been married for the past 9year without a child i and my husband has went for many check up but the Doctors always bring positive result that we are okay, we have been hoping that we will get bless one day but every day just look the same i always touch my stomach but nothing happens. But with the great help of Priest Babaka i have have my first baby this year April 22 2014 i am really thankful for the great help he render to me in case you need his help just email him on : babaka.wolf@gmail.com for help

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi,i wonder why people still don't believe that roots and herbs are very essential and fruitful in different aspect,especially when you can't conceive and bear children. I am a living witness because i tried all i could to be pregnant but all to no avail,until i contacted DR BOSUN,who gave me some roots and herbs syrup and told me when to have sex with my man.I missed my menstrual flow within a short period of taking it,and the doctor confirmed that i am pregnant.
    I am very glad to tell the world that i am a mother of a bouncing baby boy,contact him for your own testimony on: bosunherbalcenter@outlook.com or http://bosunherbalcenter.wix.com/herbs Tel: +2348035394535

    ReplyDelete
  8. I will only advice every other woman TRYING TO GET PREGNANT or have Fallopian tube issues, pcos and other infertility problem too do their research and don’t base your option only on anyone’s advise, I did and it resulted in waste of money and time. contact Dr climent on email: drclimentscott@gmail.com because I have discover Dr climent. long time ago and I would have been pregnant earlier if I follow my heart and buy the herbal herbs but I disregard it because of my doctor’s advice and I am annoyed at myself but at the same time I am happy that I made the wise decision by going back to Dr climent, for his herbal herbs. Now I am a strong believer of this herbal herbs natural medicine. Thank You.contact Dr climent for bringing this joy into my home am so happy at last am now a mother of twins am the happiest woman on earth thank god i came back for your herbal herbs i no so many marriages out there finding it difficult to conceive i will surely encourage them to have fate and contact you on your email or number for help contact Dr climent now via drclimentscott@gmail.com drclimentscott@gmail.com Or his whatsapp number. +2347036879479 drclimentscott@gmail.com
    +2347036879479 +2347036879479

    ReplyDelete
  9. I felt like ending it i lost my husband to another woman 2 weeks ago after 27 years of marriage. We had a lovely marriage but he started a relationship with a co worker who chased after him. He is living away near his work, and he refuses to talk to me or to come home . I am devastated and am finding it hard to cope i was emotionally down . I wish I did not love him and that I could move on but I can't . I don't know how to stop feeling like this I wish I could and its eating me away and I'm starting to feel ill. I have degraded myself begging him to come home all to no avail. I became very worried and needed help. As I was browsing through the internet one day, I came across a website that suggested that Dr Ogudugu can help solve marital problems, restore broken relationships and I also came across several testimonies about this particular man so on. So, I felt I should give him a try. I contacted him and he did a spell for me. 24 hours later, my husband came to me and apologized for the wrongs he did and promise never to do it again. Ever since then, everything has returned back to normal. I and my family are living together happily again.. All thanks to Dr Ogudugu . If you need a spell caster that can cast a spell that truly works, I suggest you contact him. He will not disappoint you. if you have any problem contact him, I give you 100% guarantee that he will help you, This is his details, E-mail: GREATOGUDUGU@GMAIL.COM. Thank you all for reading.

    ReplyDelete
  10. hello everyone,i have been married to my husband for 6years with no issue. after many medical treatment and there is no way. i took it as i was born barren and i accepted every challenge that comes my way
    on this faithful day, i decided to check the net for updates on healthy living and i came across a story of a man who Dr EDIONWE helped his wife to conceive a baby. i decided to put a try because this has been my greatest problem in life. today i am a proud mom. words will not be enough to explain what this man did for me. he casted a pregnancy spell on me and i noticed i was pregnant on the 7th day after the spell. i am a happy mother, the pride of my family, a miracle in my town. i know there is someone in same condition and you feel there is no way. i urge you to contact him via email edionwesolutiontemple@gmail.com. This is the solution to every single mother around the globe.

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a miracle i never believe there is cure because my doctor tested me Herpes positive and she told me there is no cure, i’m very happy today that i’m having a free life without this sickness, i can remember some months ago when i was crying all through the night and day that i can’t get cured from this sickness, i found this herbal man email on internet when i was doing research on cure for Herpes i contacted him to found out if i can get help from this sickness, i was so surprise when he told me that he have the herbs cure to it and he sent me the herbal in less down 2-3 days i was so happy when i get someone giving me hope that he can cured me i took the herbal for just 2 weeks, when i went for test after taking the herbal i found out that i am cured i was so happy and surprise, i want to use this opportunity to inform you that there is cured to Herpes you can also contact him for his help as soon as possible so that you can get rid of this sickness once and for all you can reach him through this email: chiefdrlucky@gmail.com or whatsApp him on +2349065398067 You can also contact him on any sickness in this he all have the herbal cure to it


    ReplyDelete
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    ReplyDelete