“Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.” – Psalm 127:3
The U.S. fertility rate has dropped to 1.7 births per woman, half of what it was in the 1950s. And a global poll published in the Lancet last month reveals that 39 percent of young people feel “hesitant to have children” due to climate change. The University of Arizona identified three concerns: overconsumption, overpopulation, and an uncertain future.
Our Creator certainly tasked us with being good stewards of the Earth, but children are a gift from the Lord (Ps. 127:3) and humans were commanded by God to be fruitful and multiply, and to populate the earth abundantly and multiply in it (Gen. 9:7).
Perhaps one of the biggest questions we must ask ourselves, as individuals, the Church, and society, is whether our decision-making on family planning and other issues is motivated by fear, anxiety, and a desire to be in control.
If any of those things are what is driving us, we are on dangerous ground. We are commanded to be “anxious for nothing” and make our requests known to God, so that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds (Phil. 4:6-7).
This isn’t just a theological truth, Scripture provides practical steps to take…
1) Don’t worry about tomorrow, each day has enough trouble (Mt. 6:34).
2) Dwell on the things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, things that are excellent and worthy of praise (Phil. 4:8).
LET US PRAY . . .
Father, our society is too often motivated by fear and fails to view children as a gift from You. Forgive us. Also, forgive me for the ways I likewise stumble in this area of sin. Give me the strength and grace to dwell on things that are excellent and worthy of praise. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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