Joy Through the Trials: Reframing the Struggles of Birth and Motherhood
Photo Credit: Erin Heuser Photography
Motherhood is a wild ride, isn’t it? From the first little kicks in your belly to the intense, messy, and miraculous experience of birth—and all the beautiful chaos that follows—it’s full of highs and lows. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably wondered why something so amazing can also be so hard. Why does such a miraculous journey involve so much pain and struggle?
The truth is, the challenges of labor, birth, and motherhood aren’t random. God has a bigger purpose for them, and His Word gives us so much hope. Let’s chat about how scripture can help us reframe the hard moments—not as obstacles to avoid, but as opportunities to trust God, grow, and see His glory shine through.
Finding Joy in the Hard Stuff
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)
If you’re being real, joy isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you’re in the middle of a contraction or running on two hours of sleep with a crying baby. But James isn’t asking us to fake a smile or pretend everything’s fine. He’s encouraging us to shift our perspective. Those tough moments? They’re not pointless. They’re opportunities for God to build something in us—perseverance, strength, and a deeper faith.
Think about labor. Every contraction might feel impossible in the moment, but each one brings you closer to meeting your baby. The same is true for motherhood. Sleepless nights, tantrums, and all the messy moments are part of a bigger process. God is shaping us into the moms He’s called us to be. He’s teaching us to lean on Him, to keep going when it’s hard, and to trust that there’s a purpose in the pain.
Trusting God’s Bigger Picture
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)
This verse fills us with so much hope. It reminds us that nothing we go through is wasted. God is weaving all of it—even the hard stuff—into something good. That doesn’t mean the pain of labor or the struggles of motherhood are inherently good, but it does mean that God’s redemptive power transforms them.
In labor, the pain has a purpose—it’s bringing life into the world. In motherhood, every challenge is an opportunity for God to work in us and through us. He’s using the hard moments to grow our character, deepen our faith, and ultimately lead us and our families closer to Him.
When we trust that God is in control, we can find peace, even in the chaos. We can rest in the truth that He is working all things together for our good and His glory—even if we don’t see how.
Seeing Pain Through a New Lens
Labor and birth are such vivid illustrations of this truth. Life often comes through struggle. Jesus Himself demonstrated this when He endured the cross to bring us new life. In John 16:21, He said, "A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world."
Pain isn’t a sign that God has abandoned us. It’s often where He meets us most powerfully. Psalm 34:18 tells us that "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted." What a beautiful truth to remind ourselves of when we’re in a dark, lonely place.
Labor, motherhood, and life in general remind us that the point isn’t to avoid pain but to let God use it. It’s through these challenges that He shapes us, draws us closer to Him, and shows His glory to the world.
Practical Ways to Lean Into God During Trials
So how do we hold onto these truths in the middle of the hard moments? Here are a few ideas:
Pray Through the Pain: Whether you’re breathing through a contraction or tackling a toddler meltdown, take a moment to pray. It doesn’t have to be fancy—just a simple, "Lord, help me," is enough.
Surround Yourself with Encouragement: Having a supportive birth team, like a faith-filled doula, can remind you of your strength and God’s faithfulness during labor. In motherhood, lean on spiritually strong friends, family, or mentors who can cheer you on and point you back to God’s truth.
Reframe the Struggle: When things get tough, remind yourself that God is using this to grow you. Speak truth over your situation: "This pain is temporary, but what God is doing through it is for my good and ultimately His glory."
Lean on Scripture: Memorize verses like James 1:2-4 and Romans 8:28 so you can draw on them in the moment. Let God’s Word be your source of strength and comfort.
Celebrate the Wins: In labor, celebrate each contraction as progress toward meeting your baby. In motherhood, celebrate the little victories, like surviving a tough day or seeing growth in your child.
Living for God’s Glory
At the end of the day, the trials we face in labor, birth, and motherhood aren’t just about us. They’re opportunities to become more Christ-like in character and bring Him glory. As 2 Corinthians 4:17 says, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."
When we keep eternity in mind, we can face the hard moments with hope. The pain of labor pales in comparison to the joy of holding your baby. The struggles of motherhood fade when we see the eternal impact of raising children who know and love God. Every moment—the highs and the lows—is part of a bigger story that God is writing for His glory and our good.
Keep Trusting the Author of Your Story
So, mama, wherever you are in your journey—whether you’re gearing up for labor, rocking a sleepless newborn, or navigating the ups and downs of parenting older kids—know this: God is with you. He sees you. He’s using every moment, every trial, every tear to refine you and accomplish His good purposes.
You don’t have to have it all together. You just need to trust the One who does. The pain you’re facing isn’t the end of the story. It’s a step on the path to joy, growth, and seeing God’s glory in your life and your family’s. Keep leaning on Him, and watch how He shows up in the most incredible ways.
