Barren Among the Fruitful: Navigating Infertility With Hope, Wisdom, and Patience

by Amanda Hope Haley

The problem of infertility has reached epidemic levels in our society. It is projected that 40% of women currently 25 and younger will have difficulty conceiving a child or reaching a live birth.

Amanda Hope Haley had married David, the man of her dreams, and earned a master's degree from Harvard. She and David purchased their first home and settled down to start a family. All her hopes and dreams were coming true according to plan--until the family didn't happen. After spending seven years begging God for a child, Amanda discovered that God gives only one hope: Jesus. Amanda having a baby wasn't to be her happy ending. Finding wholeness by hoping only in God was her happy ending!

Using Amanda's personal stories, and the stories of other women who have struggled to have children, "Barren Among the Fruitful" surrounds those women struggling with infertility or miscarriage with a sense of community while providing honest facts. It leads women from confusion to understanding. Each chapter is titled with a well-meaning, but sometimes thoughtless comments Amanda was offered during her seven-year struggle with infertility.

Features include:

Personal stories from women who have struggled with infertility or miscarriage An honest look at the problem of infertility Questions for individual thought or group discussion

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian Non Fiction

139 pages, Paperback

First published October 7, 2014

About the author

Amanda Hope Haley is a lover of the Bible—its God, words, people, and history. Writing and speaking as the Red-Haired Archaeologist®, she teaches how artifacts contextualize Scripture. She hopes to see Bible lovers work together to learn history, interpret Scripture, and apply God’s Word to their lives. Amanda earned an MTS in Hebrew Scripture and Interpretation from Harvard University. She contributed to The Voice Bible as a translator, writer, and editor, and she has been a collaborator for popular Christian authors. She and her husband, David, live in Tennessee with their beloved basset hound, Copper.

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this in one sitting. It was like snuggling in with a group of women and hot beverages, sharing and discussing feelings that only women like us could understand. Truly. The author includes stories from women in all walks of life. I think the title of this book is as fitting as could be, because I truly feel like I just received support from “the barren among the fruitful.”
I will say, strictly in terms of the educational side of things, this book wasn’t necessarily “groundbreaking” - although I haven’t found an infertility book yet that was. Even so, the information was more exhaustive than I’ve come across, and would probably be helpful for someone just beginning their infertility journey. Having studied nearly everything under the sun on this topic, I had heard most of it before.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource for those facing infertility as well as those attempting to understand what those going through infertility are dealing with. Very practical as well as having deep spiritual truths and empathy.

[Mo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished reading this book in 2024, approximately 10 years after it was published, and many of the statistics and prices have changed. I was also looking more for a book that I could read and would resonate with my situation more.

[Create With Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to have a child but are having difficulty conceiving or sustaining a pregnancy, dealing with the “why’s” can be a challenging thing.

That’s why Barren Among The Fruitful – Navigating Infertility With Hope, Wisdom and Patience by Amanda Hope Haley will be embraced by so many women.

Barren Among The Fruitful is a much-needed Bible study that invites women to honestly look at and discuss the physical, emotional and spiritual issues surrounding infertility and miscarriage.

Here are a few of the features you’ll find inside of this Bible Study:

* Personal stories from women who have struggled with infertility and miscarriage.
* Honest facts about the problem of infertility.
* Clear explanations about the most commonly used infertility treatments.
* Thoughtful discussions about the marital, social, physical, financial and faith issues that complicate a diagnosis of infertility.
* Practical suggestions on how to comfort friends struggling to have children.
* Fresh perspectives on God’s plans for all women – both barren and fruitful.
* Questions for individual thought and group discussion.

This book will hold great appeal for the niche audience for which it is written for.

To read this review in its entirety, visit Create With Joy.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. However, the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Denise DiFalco · Rating 4 out of 5]

BARREN AMONG THE FRUITFUL~Navigating Infertility with Hope, Wisdom and Patience by Amanda Hope Haley is a must read for all those facing the struggles and heartbreak of infertility and miscarriage. This awesome book can also bring encouragement and inspiration to all others facing lifes difficulties and how to learn to cope when your desire does not become a reality. Another great tool in the Inscribed Series which I was given the honor to review for BookLook Bloggers. I personally wish that this asset was available during my child baring years in which I suffered eleven miscarriages. The emotional roller coaster parents face can be devastating; especially when they feel they are alone. I am thankful that my prayers were answered in that I was able to deliver two healthy daughters through high risk pregnancies. Amanda Hope Haley develops an immediate bond with her readers. Addressing the many concerns and conflicts families face in like situations allows her to reach out in compassion and understanding and give them the hope and encouragement to continue on. Her Faith is contagious and welcomed.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barren Among the Fruitful by Amanda Hope Haley is about Navigating infertility with hope, wisdom, and patience. I flipped through this book and hope that the wise words inside will give peace to women who are facing this struggle. I can't really review it myself as I haven't had to face this issue but am passing it along to a friend who has.