Hope for the Postpartum Momنموونە

He Hears Your Cry  

When you are in a hard postpartum season and are experiencing depression, anxiety and/or psychosis, it feels like it will never end. It feels like it is your new normal. Postpartum depression symptoms occur in 15 to 20 percent of new mothers. It is important to know that postpartum depression is treatable. You will get well. This season will end. 

When I was in the middle of my postpartum illness, I had zero patience. I wanted to snap my fingers and be back to normal. I wanted to pray and seconds later be my normal self. I believe in the power of prayer and I know that God is able to heal anyone by his miraculous power. I also believe that God gave us doctors, community, medicine, exercise and more to help us. There are times that healing comes instantly. And there are times that healing comes over time, and we must be patient. 

Psalms 40:1-3 says that, “I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.”

Almost all postpartum seasons involve tears. It can feel hard, lonely, scary and more. Look at what Psalms 40 says: “He heard my cry.” God hears you. He sees you. He cares for you. He is there for you. He has never left your side. He will lift you out of the pit of despair. The New Oxford American Dictionary defines despair as “the complete loss or absence of hope.” I sure did feel the absence of hope during my postpartum season. There was none. Here is what I want you to know: trust His heart when you can’t see His hand. He will set your feet on solid ground. He will steady you along the path. He will give you a new song to sing. It may not be in your timeframe, but His timing is perfect. 

I have a love/hate relationship with how much the Bible talks about waiting. “Wait patiently” seems like an oxymoron. But the Bible is clear that waiting is purposeful and good. Psalm 27:14 says “wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” I love that this verse starts and ends with waiting, and in the middle it says to be brave and courageous. Brave is defined as “enduring or facing (unpleasant conditions or behavior) without showing fear.” Last I checked, postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum psychosis are unpleasant conditions. No one asks to go through those things. But we can go through them without fear. Why? Because of what we read yesterday in Isaiah 41: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.” God is with us in our waiting. 

I love when Psalms 5:3 says, “Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning, I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” Not only are we supposed to wait patiently, but to wait expectantly. Expectant is defined as an “excited feeling that something is about to happen, especially something good.” Our waiting is not wasted. Our waiting is purposeful. Every morning during our postpartum season, we can wake up and bring our requests to God. We can wait well because we know He is working all things out. 

Today’s Action Step:

Every day, we want to encourage you not only with truth, but also with an action step. When we are going through despair, it is so easy to isolate ourselves. We don’t want to see anyone or talk to anyone. But the best thing you can do is to get out! Isolation is not your friend. Being in fellowship with others can be a lifeline. Postpartum depression can create isolating behaviors such as pushing others away, unwillingness to answer your phone calls or texts, and avoiding social interactions. We challenge you to grab coffee with a friend, go for a walk, do something that normally brings you life. It can really help. 

Prayer for the Postpartum Mom:

Lord, I admit that it can be so hard to wait. When I am hurting, the last thing I want to do is wait for healing. I want it instantly. And sometimes Your healing does come instantly. But sometimes I have to wait. I pray for patience. I pray for the boldness to wait expectantly, to know You are working behind the scenes. May my waiting not be wasted. May I use this season to draw close to You, maybe even closer than I have ever been to You. May I develop an intimate relationship with You in the waiting. This season can produce a lot of fruit in me down the road. Lord, thank You for hearing my cry. Thank You for giving me a new song to sing. Help me be brave. Help me be courageous. Draw near to me during this time. Thank You for your faithfulness. Amen.