5 Bible Mothers Who Faced Trials on their Journey to Motherhood

I found myself focusing on the struggles these women in the Bible faced on their journey to becoming mothers.

We all hope for a smooth journey into motherhood. Yet we live in a broken world, and on this journey you may encounter strong winds and turbulence along the way.

If you find yourself in a storm on your journey to motherhood, God's word reminds us that He is present with you and that He remains in control, even in the storm.

5 women and their journeys

Throughout Scripture, we meet mothers who waited, wept, prayed, questioned, surrendered, and walked through uncertainty. Their stories remind us that motherhood can carry both deep joy and real struggles. They teach us this: a difficult experience doesn't mean God is absent from your story. He is near, and He is working all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Think of Hannah, who wept and prayed through years of infertility before becoming Samuel's mother (1 Samuel 1). Sarah waited years for the child God had promised her (Genesis 21:1–2). Elizabeth carried the weight of infertility and social shame before giving birth to John the Baptist (Luke 1:5–17). Mary accepted her unconventional pregnancy with faith despite her questioning (Luke 1:38).

And then there’s Jochebed, who was pregnant while living under an oppressive regime and later had to release her baby in order to protect him (Exodus 2:1–10). These women prayed, surrendered what they could not control and chose to trust in God.

Trusting the One who knows the full story

These women could not see everything God was doing while they were in the middle of their trials.

Hannah could not see Samuel’s future.

Sarah could not see the generations that would come through Isaac.

Elizabeth could not yet see John’s ministry.

Mary could not fully comprehend the impact of the Life she was carrying.

Jochebed did not know how Moses’ story would unfold.

And perhaps that’s one of the most comforting truths we can take into motherhood:

There may be moments in pregnancy and motherhood when you feel afraid, overwhelmed, disappointed or uncertain about what lies ahead. You may be waiting for an answer, navigating circumstances you never expected, or simply wondering how everything will work out.

God weaves our story into His purposes

Scripture reminds us:

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28

This doesn’t mean every trial is easy or that we will understand why something is happening. But it reminds us that :

These women didn’t have smooth journeys but their stories were part of something much bigger than they could see at the time.

Learning from the women who went before us

Their stories are more than historical accounts; they serve as reminders for us as we navigate our own journeys into motherhood.

What can Hannah teach you about trusting God while you wait, even when someone else already has the blessing you're longing for?

What can Sarah teach you about holding onto God’s promises when the timing looks impossible?

What can Elizabeth teach you about trusting God when your journey brings a sense of shame along with it?

What can Mary teach you about surrendering to God’s purpose when you cannot see the whole picture?

What can Jochebed teach you about trusting God with what you cannot control?

The pregnancy journal

These are some of the questions in the Morenpen Pregnancy Journal which explores character studies exploring the faith of women such as Hannah, Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary and Jochebed.

Their stories invite you to pause, reflect and consider what their faith might teach you about your own walk with God as you prepare for motherhood.

When we don’t know what the next chapter holds in our story, we can look back at the women who walked with God before us.

Their lives are a powerful example that we don’t have to know every detail of the journey to trust the Author.