A Reason for Infertility
Larry was a struggling colporteur who had too many books for sale and not enough customers. One day, a friend of Larry's, Mr. Andrew, called asking if Larry had books on parenting for sale. Apparently Mr. Andrew was friends with the Harold's, a married couple who were planning to adopt, and were looking to purchase some Christian parenting books.
Remembering that he did indeed have some parenting books, Larry got the number from Mr. Andrew, and asked the Harold's to come by to view them. Later that evening, the Harold's, having been thoroughly satisfied with their perusal of the books, ordered all of them. Excited about the books along with their upcoming adoption plans, the couple told their story. It seems that the Harold's had tried unsuccessfully for several years to have children, and now were days away from having their dream realized, through adoption. They would finally be parents of a 3 day old baby boy. Thrilled as only new parents-to-be can be, they promised to update Larry.
Six months later they called. "Larry, not only were the parenting books helpful, but we got our little boy, and -- we're now pregnant!" It became apparent during the conversation that Mrs. Harold suspected that she might be pregnant when she met Larry to buy the books, but had decided not to entertain the idea, less she be disappointed once again.
How could Mrs. Harold be pregnant after all those years of trying unsuccessfully to conceive? Larry's theory was that when Mr. and Mrs. Harold finally decided to adopt, the stress of trying to conceive was lifted, enabling Mrs. Harold to get pregnant. Although Larry didn't know of any scientific evidence supporting his theory, he was sure his explanation was logical.
Today, there is sufficient scientific evidence to prove that emotional and psychological stress can affect the body adversely. Stress affects the brain by causing an influx of stress related hormones to flood the various systems of the body. This includes the reproductive systems of both men and women. These hormones often affect menstrual cycles and can affect the body's ability to transport a mature egg through the fallopian tubes, thus hindering fertilization.
Naturally, one of the best solutions for successful reproduction is living a relatively stress free life, one of rest and quietude. This is because rest causes the brain to release hormones that frequently enable reproduction.
Christ told the disciples that they could exchange the heavy burdens they carried for rest in Him. In other words, He was their best source of rest. Let us read a text in Matthew 11.
Matthew 11:28 Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:29 Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
This is what Hannah did. We read in 1 Samuel 1:10 that "she was in bitterness of soul…" and that it was after eating that she arose and went to the temple, "… and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore." In verse 13 we read of her agony of soul as: "she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard." Verse 16 demonstrates the depth of the burden she carried as she states, "for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto." She came to Christ heavy laden, and in unburdening herself by taking His yoke, she found rest for her soul.
Speaking through Eli the priest, the Lord encouraged Hannah. Verse 18 says that Hannah "went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad." In other words, Hannah was relieved and content.
We do know that the scripture says that God "shut up her womb" thereby causing her infertility. We have also seen that it was reversed after she came to the end of herself, just as truly as was Sarah's. Each woman's complete trust in and dependence on God led to her rest.
How is it with you today, have you come to your rest?
--
Raul Diaz
www.wolfsoath.com
