Spiritual Labor Pains

John 16:21 “It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has bought a new baby into the world.” ~NLT
 
As a father I have been blessed to see three of my four children born. It is a miracle worth witnessing. It starts off great. We find out we are about to be parents and we begin to plan all the things we will do as a family. From taking turns rocking the baby after coming home from the hospital; to what collage they are going to.
 
This is how it is when God calls us to a ministry. We are excited! We begin planning everything, on paper, in our minds and hearts in preparation for the ministry we are called to. We get certain people together we think we can count on and prepare them to be ready for the call you have been given.
 
But as childbirth progresses, everything begins to get harder, and more painful. For the mother, the ‘uncomfortable’ sets in her mind and body. As her body changes it moves from uncomfortable to painful. The uncomfortable and painful feelings lead to her becoming impatient in areas where she would otherwise be patience. For the daddy, he must live with the fact that there is nothing he can do for the mother except, attempt to make everything as comfortable as he can for her.
 
Again, like childbirth, our calling may become uncomfortable. The pain hits you in the form of stress and anger. That feeling of impatience creeps into your flesh. We find that we are in a position where there is nothing we can do about where we are in our calling. We find ourselves asking God, “Why did you tell me to do this? This is harder than I thought it would be! Why?”
 
These are 'spiritual labor pains' that come with being impregnated with God’s calling in our lives. These pains come in the waiting period. This period is where God is works on us. Spiritually we need to be trained and groomed for the calling He has blessed us with. This training takes time, God's time.
 
Just as the woman lies in wait while pregnant, God is blessing and creating a new life in us as we go through our spiritual labor pains. The scripture says in John, “…when her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world.” The world will now see the blessing created by God that she bore.
 
This is the same concerning us and our endurance through our trials as we walk in our calling. During the times of your struggles and pain, God seeds you with the tools for your calling. So that you will want for nothing as God uses you as a vessel for the kingdom. The seeds of obedience, discipline, courage, wisdom, and guidance to fuel your faith in Him.
 
And in God’s time, that miracle of ministry through you will be born and God will do many wonderful things through you for the kingdom! So, remember, hang through the ‘contractions’ of your spiritual labor. Take peace in waiting on God’s time because only He knows when we will be ready to give birth to our gift from Him. When we do, we will hurt no more.
 
May God continue to bless and keep you in His eternal peace in Jesus’ name,
 
Amen

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