Waiting is never easy, and infant adoption can involve plenty of it. When you’re in the process of adoption, you’ll wait for your home study to be completed, you’ll wait to be chosen by a birth mother, and you’ll wait for your child’s adoption to be finalized.
As you wait, remember that this waiting is more than a useless exercise. It’s an important part of the adoption story God has for you and your child. Here are some ways to find God’s help while you wait to adopt.
While you’re waiting for God to fulfill your desire to adopt, look to Scripture for encouragement and strength. Try these three ways of applying God’s word to help you.
Say It
When you find scriptures that are especially meaningful to you, use them during your prayer times. Memorize them. Write them on sticky notes and stick them to your mirror or fridge.
Scripture is powerful; it can instruct, encourage, and correct. God’s words are powerful in your life. So, find as many ways as possible to say the scriptures that are helping you as you wait to adopt.
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
-2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV
Obey It
When God speaks to you, it’s important to step out in obedience. Faith requires action. Adoption is definitely a step of faith into unknown territory. You never know how it will all work out. There is so much in adoption that is out of your control, but you can still obey God’s word while you wait.
Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
-Matthew 7:24 NIV
Tell Others
Tell others about what God is saying to you as you wait to adopt. You may never know how your words could affect someone else who is in a difficult circumstance. So whether it’s your family, friends or co-workers, be sure to share how God is helping while you wait.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
-Isaiah 41: 10 NIV
Promises of God to Encourage You As You Wait
God will give you peace
God promises to give you peace in every circumstance you’re going through. Adoption is no different. You need peace to know you’ve made the right choice. Ask God to give you peace while you wait.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
-Numbers 6:24-26
God gives you wisdom
God loves to give you wisdom when you ask. When you’re adopting, you need a lot of wisdom for all your decisions. Be sure to ask God to give you wisdom as you make decisions surrounding your adoption.
For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
-Proverbs 2:6
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
-James 1:5
God will guide you
God promises to lead and guide those who trust Him. As you walk through your adoption journey, it’s comforting to know that God will lead and guide you each step of the way.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
-Psalm 32:8
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
-Psalm 119:105
Final thoughts
As you wait to adopt, remember God will help you throughout the process. He promises to give you peace, guidance, and wisdom along the way.
Find help and encouragement through reading and studying God’s word as you wait. Saying the verses that are meaningful to you can get you through even the hardest days.
Obeying what God has called you to do means taking that first step. Sharing what God is saying to you may help others who are going through difficult situations. You don’t need to be a qualified teacher to share God’s word, just a sincere person who wants to encourage others.
Remember, waiting for the adoption of your child is never a useless exercise. Instead, it’s part of the unique adoption journey of you and your child.
Founder of Lifetime Adoption, adoptive mom, adoption expert, and Certified Open Adoption Practitioner (C.O.A.P).
Since 1986, adoption expert Mardie Caldwell has been dedicated to bringing couples and birth parents together in order to fulfill their dreams.
“Many years ago, I was also searching for a child to adopt. We didn’t know where or how to get started. Through research, determination, and a prayer, our dream of a family became reality. I started with a plan, a notebook, assistance from a caring adoption consultant and a lot of hard work; this was my family I was building. We had a few heartaches along the way, but the pain of not having children was worse!
Within weeks we had three different birth mothers choose us. We were overwhelmed and delighted. Many unsettling events would take place before our adoption would be finalized, many months later. Little did I know that God was training and aligning me for the adoption work I now do today. It is my goal to share with our families the methods and plans which succeed and do not succeed. I believe adoption should be affordable and can be a wonderful “pregnancy” for the adoptive couple.
I have also been on both sides of infertility with the loss of seven pregnancies and then conceiving by new technology, giving birth to a healthy daughter. I have experienced first-hand the emotional pain of infertility and believe my experience allows me to serve your needs better.
It is my hope that for you, the prospective parents, your desire for a child will be fulfilled soon.”
