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There has been no shortage of controversy over abortion in recent months with the numerous graphic videos revealing just how evil the so-called “pro-choice” movement is. To make it worse, the person who opened our eyes to the horrors taking place, is now the one who is being punished, rather than those profiting from the abortion industry. Indeed, “woe to those who call evil good and good evil.” (Isaiah 5:20)
I read a famous quote by Frederica Mathewes-Green recently that grieved my heart, as it merely gives a glimpse to one side of the choice to have an abortion… the desperation before the choice…“No woman wants an abortion like she wants a Porsche or an ice cream cone. She wants an abortion like an animal caught in a trap wants to gnaw off its own leg.” (Please know quoting Matthewes-Green is not an endorsement)
There is also the other side, the agonizing pain that comes from the aftermath of going through with an abortion. While a woman may not have the physical responsibilities of raising a child, there is much more to abortion. There is also the emotional trauma many women encounter post abortively. This is why I am writing today. I am not here to condemn, dear sister, but to give HOPE.
If you, or someone you know is suffering from the pain caused from choosing an abortion, I want to share a message of love and mercy with you. If you are in need of someone to walk alongside you, I beg you to find a godly older woman who can walk you through the God-ordained path of true freedom through repentance and faith in God’s complete forgiveness that He unreservedly gives through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Dealing with the Guilt and Shame through Scripture
David Powlison defines guilt and shame: “Guilt is an awareness of failure against a standard. Shame is a sense of failure before the eyes of someone.”
God in His goodness gives us His word to address the guilt and shame associated with abortion:
Psalm 32:3-5 says, “When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away Through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.”
Psalm 38:17-18 tells us, “For I am ready to fall, And my sorrow is continually before me. For I confess my iniquity; I am full of anxiety because of my sin.”
Forgiveness
Maybe you the following words echo your experience…
“ I don’t know if I am forgiven.”
“I have sought forgiveness, but I don’t feel like I am forgiven.” Or,
“How do I forgive those who were involved in this decision.”
There may also be an overpowering sorrow or anger that is symptomatic when the topic of abortion is brought up. These symptoms reveal the need for the path of forgiveness to be taken. We are never to take guilt lightly, so if there is still guilt as a result of an abortion, it is right and loving to ask if the proper “steps” to forgiveness have been taken:
Repentance and Reconciliation
Has genuine, full repentance taken place? Repentance involves taking responsibility for the abortion. If blame for an abortion is being placed towards another person, (boyfriend, spouse, or parent), then may I lovingly address repentance? A woman who was willing in the process of the abortion at any point, needs to take responsibility for her part in the abortion. James 5:16 teaches that this can take place by “confessing your sins to each other, and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” Proverbs 28:13 says, “He who conceals his sin does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them find mercy.”
Reconciliation with the Lord comes by asking God to forgive your sins against Him. We see in 1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Dear sister, I implore you to embrace God’s LAVISH forgiveness (Ephesians 1). It is crucial to remember forgiveness is a matter of faith, and not feeling. If you do not feel forgiven, please saturate you self with the Word showing you God’s character. Ephesians 2:1-10 and Titus 3:5-7 are beautiful passages to saturate yourself in, dear sister, as you begin to rightly worship God again!
Renewing the Mind
The best way to maintain freedom from future guilt when the enemy strikes is to renew your mind about the Lord’s lovingkindness and compassion despite any sin. Here are some passages that will give you a helpful start: Psalm 13; 51; 103; Isaiah 55:6-7; Romans 4:4-9.
Resting in Jesus
Dear sister, by casting your burdens on the One who sustains you, God will bring the peace and freedom you long for as you seek to be whole again. You are learning the depth of Jesus’ sacrificial love. Here are some passages to walk through, pray through, and proclaim as you move toward completeness: Psalm 55:22; Psalm 126:5; Romans 8:26; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18; Romans 8:1;Galatians 5:1
These passages are the weapons needed to fight the accusation of Satan that will rob a post abortion woman of the freedom offered freely through Jesus Christ.
Recall Biblical Priorities
A woman who has sought biblical forgiveness and restoration also will need to be encouraged toward a life of self discipline through studying of the Word, prayer, and fellowship with other Christ-followers, as well ministry within the body of Christ. If you need help with priorities, we invite you to listen to the podcast on priorities!
Recollect God’s Promises
ALL women, regardless what sin has been committed, must recollect and wear the armor of God so that we can stand firm in Christ (Ephesians 6:10f) as we remember God’s abounding grace (Romans 5:20). We must hold on tightly to the promise that the old has gone, but the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).
As I was writing this, I could not help but hum this timeless hymn.
Let the words of this hymn encourage you to run to the Lord’s grace:
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Refrain:
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
grace, grace, God’s grace,
grace that is greater than all our sin!
Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
threaten the soul with infinite loss;
grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
points to the refuge, the mighty cross.
(Refrain)
Dark is the stain that we cannot hide.
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,
brighter than snow you may be today.
(Refrain)
