Recent policy changes under President Trump’s administration regarding childbirth laws have caused significant anxiety among immigrant communities. Some families are considering preterm deliveries to secure citizenship for their children under current rules, while others delay family planning in the hope that policies might change in the future. Others wrestle with regret, thinking, “If only we had planned to have children earlier, we wouldn’t be in this situation now.”
Whether it is this rule or any future changes to immigration policies, such uncertainties can leave families feeling unsettled and fearful about their future. As Christians, how should we respond to these challenges and emotions? How can we align our thoughts and actions with God’s Word, even when our plans seem at risk? Let us turn to Scripture for wisdom, comfort, and direction.
God Is Sovereign Over Our Lives
The Bible assures us that God governs every aspect of our lives, including the timing and circumstances of childbirth. Acts 17:26 declares:
“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.”
As parents, we naturally desire to provide our children with a better life and circumstances than we came from. This desire is not wrong, but it should not overshadow our trust in God’s plan. Know that God’s plans for your child are infinitely better than yours, even if they are not a citizen of the United States. His plans are not earthly but eternal, as He has created each child for His glory and purposes.
If you find yourself regretting that you didn’t have children earlier or that different decisions might have avoided your current difficulties, remember this: God’s sovereignty extends to your past as much as it does to your future. Regret is a natural emotion, but it can lead us to forget that God is fully in control of the timing of all things. Political climates may shift, but God’s plans remain unshaken. Trust in His goodness, knowing that He works all things together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
Trust God’s Plan, Even When It’s Uncertain
Trusting God does not mean we will always get the outcomes we desire. Instead, it means surrendering to His perfect will, confident that He knows what is best. His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9), and His plans are always good. Consider Abraham’s example in Hebrews 11:8:
“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.”
Abraham trusted God and left his homeland without knowing the outcome. Similarly, we are called to trust God with our family plans, even when the future seems unclear. His faithfulness assures us that He never disappoints those who trust in Him. As Hebrews 13:5-6 reminds us:
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’”
Trusting God’s plan may not mean the outcomes we desire, but it does mean resting in the assurance that He is with us and will provide in ways that surpass our understanding.
Fear Must Not Govern Our Decisions
Fear is a natural response to uncertainty, but as believers, we are called to live by faith, not fear. Acting hastily out of fear or leaning on our own understanding reveals a lack of faith in God’s goodness and provision. This is what the Bible calls sinful fear, which not only dishonors God but can also lead to unintended complications. Proverbs 3:5-6 warns us:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Fear may tempt some to pursue preterm deliveries for security, which could place both mother and child at risk. It may also tempt others to postpone having children altogether, fearing the uncertainty of the current political environment. While these concerns may feel valid, decisions rooted in fear often pull us away from trusting God and His perfect timing.
Postponing plans for children purely out of fear reflects a focus on earthly circumstances rather than on God’s sovereignty. Children are a gift from the Lord (Psalm 127:3), and fear should not prevent us from embracing His blessings. Instead of leaning on our own understanding, we are called to trust God’s purposes, even when circumstances seem uncertain.
Instead, we are reminded of God’s power and the spirit He gives us:
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
Psalm 112:1, 7-8 beautifully describes the blessings of fearing the Lord rather than circumstances:
“Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands… They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.”
When fear tempts us to act hastily or to delay plans for a family, let us remember that God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).
Our Citizenship Is Ultimately in Heaven
While policies and laws impact our earthly lives, our ultimate hope and identity are not tied to any country or government. Philippians 3:20 declares:
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
This truth provides believers with an eternal perspective that frees us from placing undue weight on temporary, earthly concerns. Pastor, author, and biblical counselor Paul Tautges, in his book Remade, explains the significance of this heavenly citizenship:
“Paul is emphasizing that, unlike false disciples who glory in their earthly status, ‘our citizenship is in heaven.’” (Remade, p. 71).
Tautges contrasts the eternal focus of true disciples with those who have their “minds set on earthly things” (Philippians 3:19). As Tautges writes:
“Your spiritual passport into the kingdom of heaven does not contain a temporary visa, stamped with black ink, but an everlasting one, stamped with the red blood of the crucified, risen, and ascended Lamb of God. Your safe entry into the eternal kingdom is guaranteed!” (Remade, p. 71).
This truth reminds us that the best thing we can give our children is the knowledge of their eternal citizenship in Christ. Whether they are born as American citizens or not, God’s plans for them are eternal and secure. As Tautges concludes: “We live on this earth for as long as God ordains, but this is not where our hearts should be. We ‘are no longer strangers and aliens but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God’ (Ephesians 2:19). Our hearts should yearn for heaven.” (Remade, p. 71).
God’s Faithfulness in New Life
The birth of a child is a testimony to God’s creative power and goodness. Psalm 139:13-16 reminds us:
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb… All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
God’s timing for every life is perfect. Trusting His plan honours Him and reflects our faith in His sovereignty. Acting out of fear undermines the beauty of relying on His faithfulness.
Practical Steps for Faithful Living
Here are ways to respond biblically and practically to this situation:
- Pray for Wisdom: Bring your fears to God in prayer, asking for clarity, peace, and guidance.
- Seek Godly Counsel: Speak with a pastor or trusted Christian mentor who can provide biblical encouragement.
- Encourage Others: Share God’s promises with others struggling with similar fears.
- Plan in Faith: Move forward with family plans, trusting that God will provide in His perfect timing.
- Avoid Fear-Based Decisions: Recognise that hasty actions, such as preterm delivery unless medically necessary, could lead to greater risks. Trust God’s ability to work all things together for good (Romans 8:28).
- Rejoice in the Lord: Instead of letting worry consume you, take time to enjoy the current season of pregnancy. Be joyful in the Lord as a family, celebrating the life He is forming in the womb and cherishing the blessing of upcoming parenthood. Praise God for this new chapter in your family’s journey.
Conclusion: Trust in God’s Sovereignty and Promises
Uncertainty about childbirth policies may tempt us to fear and regret, but God calls us to trust Him. As parents, we desire to provide the best circumstances for our children, but we must rest in God’s better plans for them—plans that are eternal, not earthly. Jeremiah 29:11 assures us:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Let us live as citizens of heaven, confident in God’s promises and reflecting His faithfulness to those around us. Trusting God with our families and futures ensures that, while the journey may be uncertain, the destination is secure.
