Hey Everybody,
Did you know that by age 45, 43% of women in the United States have had at least one abortion?
Since 1973, when the landmark Roe V. Wade decision gave every American woman the right to abort her unborn child, abortion has become a part of the fabric of our nation. It is itchy and uncomfortable and it has never fit right, but its threads are tightly knit, swaddling our land in a smothering blanket of lies and confusion. Most moms today have experienced abortion up close--like I did, through the eyes of a friend or family member--or personally, through a teenage or young adult experience they’d rather forget. We grew up understanding abortion was a controversial subject, but nonetheless, it was sanctioned and justified by the United States Supreme Court and further confirmed by all the "cool” people we idolized through the media.
You may be grieving over a past abortion, or you might be bound by another sin from your past—an addiction, an affair, or a criminal charge. You understand that God has forgiven you, but you find it terribly difficult to forgive yourself. I have a dear friend/mentor who had to get over that hurdle, too. She notes that understanding forgiveness is on par with understanding God’s grace. I like the way she explains it:
If I can't forgive myself, I am basing forgiveness on whether or not I deserve it rather than Christ’s power to give it. I am saying, My acceptance and worth come from the choices I make, rather than the atoning grace of God. But in truth, righteousness comes from God alone.
I forgive myself because Christ died for me. He has cleansed me and clothed me in His holiness. My acceptance, worth, and righteousness are not earned by my own goodness, nor can they be lost by my sins. They have nothing to do with what I do or don't do. I forgive because I am forgiven.
Are you ready to truly accept the forgiveness of God and in doing so, forgive yourself? Take these five steps of faith:
- Ask God to open your eyes to a clear understanding of His Grace. For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8,9).
- Thank God for the blood of Christ that provides complete covering over our sins. For this is My blood of the covenant, which is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:28).
- Recognize that you are a loved child of God. [Nothing] will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord! (Romans 8:39).
- Confide in a godly mentor or Christian counselor. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed (James 4:16a).
- Allow God to use your experience to help others. Pray for opportunities for God to be glorified through your life. We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
Tomorrow: Symptoms of Post Abortion Syndrome
1 comment:
This was such a good post Rebecca. I found your beginning statistic shocking! But as you said, many of us have some past sin, even if not abortion, that troubles us. So thankful for God's mercy & grace!
Have a great day!
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