According to a study by LifeWay published in November of 2015, “Over 40% of women who have had an abortion say they were frequent churchgoers at the time they ended their pregnancies and about a half of them say they kept their abortions hidden from church members.” Research also indicates that more than 40% of child-bearing age women have experienced the pain of abortion – that’s 2 out of 5 women.
Without question, abortion can be one of the most traumatic experiences in a person’s life.
After 20+ years of trying almost anything to numb the pain of my abortions and find some kind of worthiness in anything, I finally opened my heart to Christ to receive forgiveness. Yet even then, I was unaware of how to resolve the pain and anguish of that messy past. I truly believed that Jesus loved me in spite of my abortions, and that God took my sins and put them as far away from himself as the East is from the West, but deep down inside I just couldn’t see how He could love me in spite of what I’d done.
Sweet sister, does your soul long for healing too?
I was able to find the love of the Father needed to help release me from that burden and be moved into healing through the encouragement of a sister-in-Christ who was willing to walk alongside with me in that struggle. Would you seek the opportunity to let another sister help you through it too? If your heart is steeped in the pain of abortion, or you know of a sister the same, please consider participation in a post-abortive healing through “Surrendering The Secret” bible study. It’s an 8-week bible study created by Pat Layton to heal hurting women and the heartbreak of abortion through honest and interactive bible study, meaningful group experiences, and unique journaling exercises in a confidential, caring community. The class is always offered in confidence for privacy, so no one needs to know, and it’s open to any sister in need regardless of church affiliation or none at all. I encourage you to view this trailer: https://youtu.be/QuVt-5kn4yY, then reach out to Katie Bailey at secondchron714@verizon.net. Katie works for Life’s Choices, a pregnancy help center with offices in Hamburg and Kutztown, and will be leading the study. Katie and I will both be praying that you can take the first step towards healing, or help another sister to find it too.
And if you’ve already come through and been healed – Praise God, and consider being an amazing support by walking another sister through it, hand in hand. ♥
