They Used IVF. Now They Warn Against It | Guest: Granger Smith | Ep 1041

Today we’re joined by Granger Smith, a former country music singer turned minister and author of the new book "Like a River." In this episode, Granger shares his profound journey, explaining why he left the music industry after over 25 years to pursue ministry. Following the tragic loss of his son River in a drowning accident in 2019, Granger's life was forever changed. This heartbreaking event brought him closer to Jesus and ultimately became the catalyst for his path into Christian ministry. Granger details how he dipped into “self-help” therapy but realized the practices were not rooted in truth but were actually dangerous and addictive. Additionally, he explains why his family chose IVF to have his son Maverick, the internal struggles with feelings of sinfulness, and why he believes IVF should not be recommended.

#grangersmith #selflove #ivf #alliebethstuckey #relatable #religion #news #politics #christianity #christian #bible #conservative #theology

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Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction
02:22 Leaving country music
11:25 Losing River
15:38 Self-love vs. self-hate
20:30 Self-help
24:59 How the death of his son affected his marriage
30:45 Working through struggles of seeking validation
34:40 Sanctification and spending time with God
43:52 IVF

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Today's Sponsors:

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Relevant Episodes:

Ep 1018 | Former IVF Doctor Blows the Whistle | Guest: Dr. Lauren Rubal

Ep 1007 | Republicans Push Taxpayer-Funded IVF | Guest: Andrew T. Walker

Ep 980 | The Secret, Ethical Alternative to IVF | Guest: Catie VanDamme

Ep 788 | The 'Sextortion' Scheme that Killed His Son | Guest: Brian Montgomery

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[kayhack]

My husband and I struggled with infertility for almost 8 years. We had one miscarriage about 4 years ago. God used the miscarriage to lead us to become foster parents. We adopted our daughter and our foster license is still active. My doctor told me I needed IVF to become pregnant. I felt very strong conviction over that and decided that IVF was not for us, we will continue on the path God has planned for us. I'm now 19 weeks pregnant, and got pregnant naturally. I believe God opens and closes wombs as He has done in the Bible, even to this day.

[iloveyoubyee]

My 2 year old was dx with brain cancer and died when he was 6. The whole experience completely changed me and brought me back to Christ. I never felt so helpless and fearful but found hope and peace in Christ Jesus

[rachelscottspeaks]

After our 4th child our church deacons pressured my husband to get a vasectomy. The night before my husband had a dream and God warned him! We went on to have 4 more children and I wrote a book called Birthing Gods Mighty Warriors! We now have 8 children and 14 grands! Having more children was the bEST thing we EVER did! ❤

[jseehowitsbeen]

My husband and I had two children and they were both a few years old. Pregnancies were hard on me and I wasn’t wanting to be pregnant again since I had a difficult time with our first two. I should have trusted God with His plan for our family but my husband and I decided two kids would be enough and he ended up getting a vasectomy. A week after he had the procedure I found out I was pregnant with our third child. While the third pregnancy was also hard, I can’t imagine our lives without our youngest. And over the past 10 years I have often regretted not being able to have more kids with my husband because he is an amazing father and God has blessed our family so much. We fostered last year and are now beginning to look into adoption. We know only by God’s grace will we adopt, and we’re content with whatever happens, and also prayerfully seeking His will in our decisions.

[JFlower]

As a Catholic, I am encouraged more Christians are seeing the truth of IVF.

[carliejade]

I’m so glad that this came out. After 4 years of trying and finally finding out why I haven’t gotten pregnant from my tubes bein damaged from scar tissue and being told IVF is our only way of getting pregnant. After lots and lots of prayer have to decided not to go that route and go towards adoption cause the Lord always guides us

[bf]

Wow this was fantastic! When he was talking about children and said that no child is here accidentally, that hit home for me. One of my children is medically complex and when we found out some diagnosis’ prenatally, an abortion was offered immediately. I am a Christian and once I realized even though I was in shock, God was not and this was not a mistake. It brought me and still provides me a comfort I can’t describe other than biblical. Thank you for this, what a testament to our God 🤍

[Bakingfool]

We are forever changed by our children from embryo adoption. We struggled through infertility and held firm against going through IVF due to all the loss of life through the man made process, instead we sought to save ones already created. We have a daughter and son that are genetic full siblings. I wondered if I would always have a longing for my genetics to be passed on, and with such delight I can say my heart is full beyond belief and I rejoice in the path He gave us and do not need to see my nose on a little face, but rather am constantly amazed at the features of my children. The Lord binds up wounds and replaced pain with joy

[unpopularopinions]

18:58 thank you for explaining this this way. I have a rare autoimmune disorder and in my darkest moments I have heard that voice tell me to seek out help comfort of death and “relieve my family of the burden of myself” but that’s not it. It is ultimately selfish for me to remove myself from my family even if it seems like I am a burden sometimes. For the record, they tell me constantly that I am not but it’s hard not to think of it when I’m down but I have a daughter and husband and I am still here by the grace of God. Romans 8:38-39

[zengine]

On behalf of myself and my sister, both adopted from birth to wonderful parents who could not seem to have children of their own, I want to thank you for this episode. To this day (50 years) I only know one thing about my birth mother, that she had me baptized in the hospital when I was born and just before giving me up to an adoption agency and to the parents I know today. I would highly encourage everyone to consider adoption, even IF they can have children of their own; you could be offering a loving home and family to a child that might not know one otherwise. Thank you

[Kat-zqqr]

I’ve been blessed with my son via IVF and it was wonderful.

[joycook]

Fifty years ago I attempted suicide and I agree with you both - it's self love, an attempt to escape the pain without considering, really considering, what it will do to those who love us.

[m.riveram]

What an interview! It made me cry😢
I started following Amber and Grange on Instagram shortly after they had lost their son. I had recently lost my husband of 26 years in a car accident. Their faith, togetherness and love for each other were palpable on their posts . They started a clothing company and a nonprofit in memory of River. I looked forward every week to their posts . They helped me so much on my grief journey! God Bless Them!! What courage and testimony!! Thank you Allie for this interview ❤

[Theycallmecanns]

That dark voice he heard I also heard as a drug addict. Everyday it would tell me death is easier than living this life. But I would still pray I would pray to god to please help me get through this and save my life before I destroy it. And he did, I found out I was pregnant with my baby girl and I have been clean a year and a half. Thank you Jesus ❤

[MrsKendraJoy]

My brother and his wife adopted 5 embryos in Canada and one baby made it full term. My amazing 5 year old nephew ♡

[akferren]

I was diagnosed as infertile at age 23 and did years of research before deciding to adopt at 43.. I always thought ivf was un natural and would cause problems down the road including cancer .. so glad I listened to my gut and adopted

[reepicheepsfriend]

I struggle a lot with the conversation about IVF, because I have always been adamantly against it, but the older I get and remain single the more I fear that if I ever do marry, I'm going to be in a situation where I'm tempted to go down that road. I'm currently mid 30s. Please pray for people like myself.

[lindseybast]

I think of Granger and his family often. Their story is heartbreaking. This was so encouraging to listen to and you can really tell how much he has grown in his faith. It is amazing the way the Lord has used him and worked in his life. His grace is

[courtneymellinger]

After I had my second child, I had severe postpartum depression. I have two boys, 13 months apart, the younger was premature and was in the NICU for 4 weeks. We live over an hour from the hospital he was at and I had so much guilt for not being there as much as I feel I should have, while also feeling guilty for not being with my older son who was at home with my mother in law while my husband was at work, after being in the hospital for a week before the baby was born and seeing my older son maybe three times for 30min. This was all on top of the exhaustion of having a newborn who was tiny and helpless and a young toddler who wasn’t even sleeping through the night. In my worst moments, I heard that same evil voice telling me there was only one way to get the rest and peace I desired. I have never heard someone else put it into words. I would tell myself that the voice wasn’t my own but I didn’t always believe it. At times I was convinced they were my own thoughts. Praise the Lord for walking with me through that valley.

[Christiana-]

Ultimately, we are here to SERVE THE LORD - it's really just that simple. Everything else is a distraction from that. It took me many years to truly realize that....And while I start my day asking Jesus how can I serve you today ? And I think about the things I'm doing and how does this or that serve Jesus ...and there's things I do that I don't think serve God, they are not sins, but maybe don't serve God....but the important thing is is it your hearts desire to serve God ?