G. Elizabeth Evans - 30 Days of Hope for Comfort in Infertility

Elizabeth Evans has written a book of daily devotions that delves into the heart and life issues of those who bear the pain of unfulfilled expectations. While she focuses each amazing chapter on the issue of infertility, the lessons she learned from God and His Word are applicable to virtually anyone. Saturated in prayerful thought and scriptural truth, this message of hope came from her heart and will reach yours as it did mine. Take time to read the words and feel the strength of life woven into each daily focus. Your investment of time will be well rewarded. Beths life counsel may help you find that flicker of light that we all need in desperate times.

Edwin Jenkins, interim director of missions, Morgan Baptist Association

With her personal stories, heartfelt convictions, and beautiful conversational style, Elizabeth Evans, in her new daily devotional book, 30 Days of Hope for Comfort in Infertility, walks tenderly alongside women who yearn to become mothers, yet struggle with the pain of infertility. Offering hope and keen insight into a deeper relationship with Christ, Evans ministers to women with Scripture, encouragement, biblical understanding, and prayer. I highly recommend Evanss new book, as well as her previous book, 30 Days of Hope for Strength in Chronic Illness.

Denise George, author of 30 books, speaker, and writing-to-publish teacher with The Book Writing Boot Camp

Anyone who knew Elizabeth recognized the deep compassion she held toward others who suffered. Whatever difficult situation life brought her, her aim was to help others who might experience a similar path. 30 Days of Hope for Comfort in Infertility embodies Beths desire to make the road easier for others experiencing the infertility she faced. She uses Scripture, story, and the presence of God to bring her readers comfort with every page. I encourage any woman facing infertility or any friend walking alongside to take this 30-day journey of hope with Beth.

Andrea Mullins, retired publisher, New Hope Publishers

Although the reasons for being barren are different for each of us, we all have a deep pain in the bottom of our hearts that seems to take full control at times. If you are struggling with the issues of infertility or trying to understand why Gods plan for you does not include motherhood, then please read this book. If you love someone going through either of these issues, please give this book to them.

Shannon Williams, cousin of Elizabeth Evans

OTHER BOOKS IN THE

GIFTS OF HOPE SERIES

30 DAYS OF HOPE

FOR JOY THROUGH A CHILDS SEVERE ILLNESS

by Gale Alexander

30 DAYS OF HOPE

FOR STRENGTH IN CHRONIC ILLNESS

by Elizabeth Evans

30 DAYS OF HOPE

FOR PEACEFUL LIVING

by Mark Bethea

30 DAYS OF HOPE

FOR RESTORATION IN INFANT LOSS

by Maegan Roper

GIFTS OF HOPE SERIES

30 DAYS OF HOPE

FOR COMFORT IN INFERTILITY

ELIZABETH EVANS

New Hope Publishers

PO Box 12065

Birmingham, AL 35202-2065

NewHopePublishers.com

New Hope Publishers is a division of WMU.

2016 by Elizabeth Evans

All rights reserved. First printing 2016.

Printed in the United States of America.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout the prior written permission of the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Evans, G. Elizabeth, 1966- author.

Title: 30 days of hope for comfort in infertility / Elizabeth Evans.

Other titles: Thirty days of hope for comfort in infertility

Description: Birmingham, AL : New Hope Publishers, 2016.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016020053 (print) | LCCN 2016026685 (ebook) | ISBN 9781596694644 (sc) | ISBN 9781596699427 (e-book)

Subjects: LCSH: Christian women--Prayers and devotions. | Infertility--Religious aspects--Christianity. | Consolation.

Classification: LCC BV4527 .E895 2016 (print) | LCC BV4527 (ebook) | DDC 242/.4--dc23

LC record available at Library of Congress LCCN Permalink for 2016020053

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.TM Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.TM

Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN-10: 1-59669-464-5

ISBN-13: 978-1-59669-464-4

N164104 0916 1M1

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO MY MOTHER,

GRACE BALLARD,

FROM WHOM ALL THE GREAT LESSONS OF LIFE AND MOTHERING CAME. MY MOTHER IS AN AMAZING GODLY WOMAN OF STRENGTH BEYOND DESCRIPTION. HER LOVE, PATIENCE, AND COMPASSION HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THERE TO GUIDE AND COMFORT ME. HER LOVE FOR HER LORD, HER HUSBAND, AND HER CHILDREN HAS BEEN MY SUSTAINING STRENGTH.

I LOVE YOU, MOTHER.

YOU REALLY ARE MY HERO!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I WANT to say a very special thanks to my sissy for allowing me to share a portion of her story through this work. She and I traveled two unique journeys through barrenness. God brought us to different places and, where my pain has been soothed, hersas of yethas not. I pray that she also will gain strength and peace from this book, which she helped inspire. Thank you, Sissy. I love you dearly!

I also want to express my gratitude to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the soothing salve of the Holy Spirit, through whom only I have found peace and contentment in barrenness. May He alone be glorified by what has been written on these pages.

INTRODUCTION

B ARRENNESS: its a biblical word, but a harsh-sounding one nevertheless. Its a word that could be used of a desert or a landscape devoid of growthor the backside of the moon. Unfortunately, the word is most often associated with women who have not given birth to a child. Barrenness describes too well the dashed hopes and lack of fulfillment that often plague women who struggle with it. Maybe that is why today we usually use the more clinical term: