Sometimes married women without children start wondering if God is punishing them by withholding babies. They may feel guilty for past sins, whether real or imagined. Could be they feel guilty for just assuming they could have babies any time they wanted, or maybe there is an abortion or infidelity or sexual immorality in their past. Whatever the reason, it is easy for them to assume that they don’t deserve the blessing of children and that God is giving them just what they deserve.

The only problem here is that God just isn’t like that. He does punish the evil-doer, that is true. But He forgives those who come to Him in repentance and faith. And His forgiveness is like nothing else on earth. He tosses all remembrance of our sin as far away as it can get. He turns the stains of sin into the color of fresh snow. He doesn’t just forgive; He delights to forgive.

So when you come to realize your own disobedience in the whole area of children, whether it is in your poor attitude or your unfaithfulness or presumption or whatever, confess it to God. Chances are good you already have, countless times. And that is part of the problem. He forgives us and then He doesn’t want to hear about it any more. When we confess the same things over and over, we are in essence saying that we don’t really believe that He has forgiven us. So stop yourself and thank God that He has already done the forgiving.

But realize also that God doesn’t punish His children. Yes, He disciplines, but that is different from punishment. We sometimes suffer the consequences of our own sinful and foolish attitudes and actions. But that is different from punishment. So if you have had a rough past, and now you are forgiven and wanting babies, but God hasn’t sent you any, don’t jump to conclusions. Don’t try to read into what God is doing. Thank Him for His forgiveness, count your many blessings, and trust Him. Trust Him that He knows what He is about when it comes to you. And continue to ask Him for the blessing of children. Just don’t be dragging a bunch of false guilt around behind you when you do.