Braxton Hicks vs Real Labor

Braxton Hicks are those contractions that are preparation for real labor.  They "feel" real and can be quite painful.  Some have even supposed they were in real labor when in fact they were not.  How did they determine whether it was real or not?  1. The contractions do not lead to birth!  2. The midwife or doctor upon "examination" found other clues that determined that true labor was not happening. 3. The contractions do not get stronger, longer and closer together.

Cycles in a Woman, Cycles in Prophecy and History

I've been thinking a lot about cycles.  It seems in my own life, I've seen some repeat situations occur and I've been asking the LORD about these.

Since the Scriptures talk a lot about travailing and birth, I thought I'd write a little about women and their cycles.  (Nothing yucky ok).  Pretty much any adult understands that the female cycle is all about preparation for conception, pregnancy and birth.  During the phases of the cycle, women can experience 'symptoms' much like pregnancy: cramping, nausea, vomiting, aches, pains, irritation, swollen breasts, bloating.  The menses is cyclical preparation.

Being a woman and one who has been pregnant numerous times, I can tell you, the process can become 'tiring'.  But women also recognize what is a menses cycle and what is pregnancy.    The menses cycle will always end in the period.  Conception will go into pregnancy; a 'delay' in the period is one of the first symptoms.  However, that cannot be the only determiner.  The other symptoms that accompany the menses cycle can be there too.  In olden times, without pregnancy tests and such, one of the biggest determiners of a true pregnancy was 'the quickening'!

From Wikipedia.org

""The first natural sensation of quickening may feel like a light tapping, or the fluttering of a butterfly. These sensations eventually become stronger and more regular as the pregnancy progresses. Sometimes, the first movements are mis-attributed to gas or hunger pangs.^[2]

A woman’s uterine muscles, rather than her abdominal muscles, are first to sense fetal motion. Therefore, a woman’s body weight usually does not have a substantial effect on when movements are initially perceived. Women who have already given birth have more relaxed uterine muscles that are consequently more sensitive to fetal motion, and for them fetal motion can sometimes be felt as early as 14 weeks.^[3]

Usually, quickening occurs naturally at about the middle of a pregnancy. A woman pregnant for the first time (i.e., a primigravida woman) typically feels fetal movements at about 18–20 weeks, whereas a woman who has already given birth at least twice (i.e., a multipara woman) will typically feel movements around 15–17 weeks.^[4]""

As a mother, I can tell you this is the most fascinating experience!  It is that time that you just 'know' that there is a little one inside you!  And while you may have been sick for a few weeks, something changes in your perspective: a seriousness occurs.  You come to understand-this is the real deal!

As the pregnancy continues, the mother prepares herself for the inevitable.  She physical prepares her body by putting the best foods in it.  She prepares her physical surroundings for all the things she will need to assist the birth, re-cooperation time, and several months of caring, clothing, breastfeeding and such.

She also prepares herself mentally by exercising her body, by performing relaxation exercises, deep breathing and assuring herself that 'she can do it'.

She surrounds herself with people who will support her and will weed out anyone who is going to be disruptive to the whole process.

Many times she will deal with situations that will not be able to be dealt with after the baby comes.  (For instance if she has other children, she may potty train them at this time.  Or if she has a work project, she will work diligently to accomplish this, as her focus will be solely on healing and the baby for many months to come.)

Towards the end of the pregnancy, mom becomes more restless and uncomfortable.  Some of those cyclical symptoms re-occur.  Braxton Hicks start to come on.  It is a warning to mom to get ready, but in fact is not the true labor, though it may feel very much like it for a time.

When mom goes into true labor, she can have some of the cyclical symptoms: contractions (cramping), nausea, as well as other disturbances.

During transition: the time when the cervix is most dilated and the pain seems unbearable, the mom may start to 'lose faith' in her ability to handle the pain!!  She is going to need a lot of encouragement at this time!  There are many physical and verbal things that can be done to encourage the laboring mom.

So how does all this relate to the labor and delivery of the Church?

In the post below I was meditating on the abominations the LORD hates.  Sometimes we can see these things in ourselves, sometimes we can see them in others.  The whole of Proverbs Six, really encourages us to NOT be lazy!  Our true labor in the LORD is to believe all HE says and to continue on in obedience and awareness.

I've watched a show a couple times called, "I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant"  about women who didn't know they were pregnant and sometimes didn't understand they were in labor until they gave birth.  Well, that certainly describes, "calamity coming on suddenly!"

Most people do not understand the earth is pregnant with the Word of the LORD.  Some think we are on the verge of the LORD coming back.  Some think they will escape...

What is it that we see in world history and Biblical history?  That the LORD was with HIS people through out it all, till the end.  Those who listen to HIS voice will be able to labor through the pain.  Those who do not practice listening to HIS voice now, may very well lose faith that they can endure till the end.

Have you ever read the Foxes Book of Martyrs?  The book contains accounts of believers who died (some horrible deaths) for their faith in JESUS.   Or how about Extreme Devotion, a book of testimonies on present day persecutions and deaths all in JESUS name?  Or how about all those believers that are being persecuted, driven from their homes, separated from families, imprisoned, tortured and killed right now today? I ask you, where was their rapture?  It did not happen for them.  They had to endure till the end!!

Like being in labor, one will have to be very focused on the event, the thing, at hand.  The Remnant Church really needs to lay aside all those things that distract her and she needs to pour into her spirit and prepare.

2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

FATHER YAHWEY, I pray YOU will be with YOUR true Church and give them strength, mercy and grace to endure.  Open our spiritual eyes and ears so that we may discern the times we are in.  Guard our hearts, minds, spirits and bodies as we endure these days of confusion in babylon.   Thank YOU for YOUR Words and YOUR HOLY SPIRIT!  Amen.