5 Hope-Filled Books for the Woman Hurting or Struggling with Infertility

When I was in the midst of infertility, my moods were as wild and vast as a mountain range.

Sky-high one minute and then plunging to the depths the next.

Some days I wanted to read about women who had overcome infertility and were happily raising their miracle-babies or adopted littles.

Other days if I read one. single. success story—I thought maybe I would scream in frustration.

Thankfully, God is faithful and good, and He met me right there in the wild craziness of my messed-up hormones and fears. It has been a long, hard road but I am more stable now than I ever hoped I would be.

And the books that line my shelves? It’s interesting how they came together and how God used them to reach the deep places in my heart.

This book list isn’t just a lineup of success stories.

Some of them barely have anything to do with infertility at all. But these are books that lifted me when I was crumbling, so I share them with you, in hopes that you will catch a glimpse of the Father’s heart.

Whether you face infertility, or you know someone who does, these books will open your eyes and hopefully your ears to the Word and to Truth.

This post may contain affiliate links through which Club31Women might get a small compensation – with no additional cost to you.  See my disclosure policy here.

5 Books for Anyone Hurting or Struggling with Infertility

Pain Redeemed by Natasha Metzler

Ha. Yep, that’s my name on the author line.

And the reason I share this book is because it’s my from-the-middle gift to anyone who is walking through sorrow. It’s not a success story in that it tells how I got the babies my heart was crying for (I didn’t) but instead, it’s the story of how God met me right in the middle of my hurt and redeemed the brokenness in my life.

It’s hope. And promise. And God’s presence showing up right when things are the very worst.

“I have to learn to trust, even when His will seems frightening or untrustworthy. I have to follow Him, even when it feels like I am walking into emptiness. It is right here, right today, that I must decide where my faith is. If serving God does not work from right here, in the middle of my pain and mourning, it won’t work from anywhere.” – Natasha Metzler, Pain Redeemed

Pain Redeemed is available—-> HERE

Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist

Sometimes the best thing to read is just someone’s story. Not a how-to. Not a study book. Just the simple real-life truth. Shauna shares hers in such an eloquent, heartfelt way—it wraps you up deep and settles the pieces of your heart that were shattering.

“…sometimes the happiest ending isn’t the one you keep longing for, but something you absolutely cannot see from where you are.” –Shauna Niequist, Bittersweet

Bittersweet is available—->HERE

Bread & Wine by Shauna Niequist

This is kind of like a cookbook. And kind of like a memoir. And kind of like God’s whisper of truth right into the middle of life.

I remember reading this book and feeling my heart burn with hope. While Shauna mentions her secondary infertility and the fragile fight to bear a child—it’s not the point of the story.

Which is exactly what I needed at that time: the gentle reminder that this journey is a part of many stories—but there is more to life than these aching moments. There is still so much good to embrace. So much community and so much family.

In Christ, we have a calling to share our table with those around us, and this was a calling I could answer, even if I couldn’t produce the children to fill my home.

“The heart of hospitality is about creating space for someone to feel seen and heard and loved. It’s about declaring your table a safe zone, a place of warmth and nourishment.” –Shauna Niequist, Bread & Wine

Bread & Wine is available—>HERE

Every Bitter Thing is Sweet by Sara Hagerty

I first read this memoir while drifting through the loss of an almost-adopted baby, and while I felt the crunching ache of my loss, I also felt the depth of God speaking into my hurting places through these words.

Sara’s story is one of raw grace and it is laced with the reminder of God’s goodness. As she spins the words of her barrenness and her brokenness before God, we are left with the reminder that following Christ is a hard journey—but the very best one. Hungering and thirsting for Christ will bring us so many good things—and in Him, even the bitter can be found sweet.

“My mess wouldn’t forever be a curse. One day it would be my crown. One day it would tell the story that, yes, He is good . . . to me.” – Sara Hagerty, Every Bitter Thing is Sweet

Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet is available—>HERE

You’re Going to be Okay by Holley Gerth

I remember, at one of the worst points in my infertility journey, my husband holding my hands and telling me that I was going to be okay. Really, truly. It was exactly what I needed.

This book by Holley Gerth reminds us of this very same thing. We are going to be okay. I am. You are. God is present. God knows. And we’re going to make it.

“Because of Jesus, we have hope that whatever we face will not last forever. We can look ahead and know this is certain about our future: the Lord is there.” –Holley Gerth, You’re Going to be Okay

You’re Going to Be Okay is available—>HERE

In every story of God, there will be glimpses of grace. It’s just part of His character.

And this is why we need to keep telling our stories and listening to the stories of those around us: so we can know Him more. Whether you face infertility or some other trial, these books are worth reading because of the grace that echoes from them.

May you know Him more,
Natasha

*April 24-30th is National Infertility Awareness Week

This post may contain affiliate links through which Club31Women might get a small compensation – with no additional cost to you.  See my disclosure policy here.

Here at Club31Women, we recognize that not everyone has the same taste or point of view on books, music, or movies, but we offer these short reviews for your consideration. Our hope is that you will find something new and wonderful on this list of recommended resources!
~ Club31Women