How Jesus Teaches Us to Conduct Ourselves in Dire Circumstances
During my infertility journey, I poured through the gospels, searching for wisdom on how to conduct myself when presented with dire circumstances. Jesus modeled how to handle adversity and showed me how to love and serve others despite their behavior.
How about loading your infertility toolkit with His instruction manual? Let’s chat about it.
Jesus defined the path to take as you travel through this challenging season of infertility
In my last post, “4 Ways to Take Your Eyes Off Yourself and Focus on God,” we directed our Easter season prayers toward praise and thanked God for our blessings. We also discussed repentance from our sinful acts of disobedience and focusing on the poor and lowly instead of ourselves.
For the next few days preceding Holy Week (leading up to the celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection on Easter Sunday, April 20), we’ll revisit how Jesus instructed us to seek God’s direction as we face dire circumstances. Our Scripture meditations will include Jesus’ words about spreading God’s love through comfort and service.
Imagine Jesus speaking these words to you
Meditation #1
Jesus instructed us on how to immerse ourselves in special time with God through fasting:
…when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:17-18 NIV
- Prepare to meditate: Slowly breathe in, saying “Jesus”, then slowly breathe out, saying “Peace” three times.
- Prayer: Lord God, if you prompt me to fast, reveal what I should put aside—food, a meal, an activity. How should I serve the needy? I want to praise You and listen for Your holy will. Remind me to schedule a time to listen to Your direction as I move forward with my fertility journey. I ask You in the name of Jesus.
- Today’s direction: Check out the recent blog post “Why try Fasting for Spiritual Renewal and Guidance?”
Meditation #2
Jesus said how we treat others is the same as serving Him:
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat …thirsty and you gave me something to drink …a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, … sick and you looked after me…” Matthew 25:35-37 NIV
- Prepare to meditate by deep breathing as instructed in Meditation #1 above.
- Prayer: Lord God, You have showered me with grace. What provisions, time, and talents do I have to comfort those around me? Direct my mindset today from being self-absorbed about having children to meeting the needs of those suffering. I ask this in the name of Jesus.
- Today’s direction: Think about what household items or clothes you have that may bless someone else. For homeless people in need, consider having gallon-size zip-lock bags in your car filled with small toiletries, bottled water, protein bars, socks, and Bible tracts with prayers of hope.
Meditation #3
Jesus shared the commandments of love and forgiveness:
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. … love your neighbor as yourself… love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44, Mt 22:37,39 NIV
- Prepare to meditate by deep breathing as instructed in Meditation #1 above.
- Prayer: Lord God, You are a God of love. Help me pour out all of the love You have given me to all who surround me. For those who have made insensitive remarks about my infertility and hurt me, give me a heart of forgiveness and eyes of love when I am around them. Help those who are insensitive to discover You, and find faith. Whenever dire circumstances cross my path, prompt me to surrender them to You in prayer. I ask in the name of Jesus Christ.
- Today’s direction: Who has wounded you? Who do you need to forgive? Will you lift them up in prayer and ask God to help them find their way to Him for salvation?
Meditation #4
Jesus taught us how to have the heart of servant-hood:
I, Your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet; you also should wash one another’s feet…no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. John 13:14-16 NIV
- Prepare to meditate by deep breathing as instructed in Meditation #1 above.
- Prayer: Lord Jesus, You knew when Your final hours were approaching, yet in humility, chose to serve rather than be served. You washed Your disciples’ feet and said, “You also should wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14). I want to demonstrate a heart filled with Your love and servant-hood in my attitudes and actions as I minister to others. Purify me in my body, mind, and spirit. Allow me to have children I can teach about Your sacrificial love, humility, and Your promise of eternal life.
- Today’s direction: What acts of love and kindness can you do for those who cross your path—mainly the unnoticed and lowly?
Savor the rich wisdom Jesus is sharing to confront your circumstances.
God wants your character to grow and be demonstrated through godly behavior when you encounter dire situations. Your time with Him will bless you with His comfort and encouragement.
Next week, I will send you another post with the final meditations for Holy Week.
Please share this post with someone who could benefit from it.
How can I pray for you? Email me at hello@infertilityprayerresource.com.
Peace be with you,
Kimberly
P.S. You won’t want to miss the following posts that will equip you for your journey:
- 4 Ways to Take Your Eyes off Yourself and Focus on God
- Why try Fasting for Spiritual Renewal and Guidance?
- What Wisdom Do Infertile Couples in the Bible Offer? Part 2
- What Wisdom Do Infertile Couples in the Bible Offer? Part 1
- How can you Intentionally Deepen your Spiritual Life in 2025?