by Lori Laws
It seemed like the best decision back then…it was a quick solution…besides, my life was just getting started and my whole future was ahead of me. I had an abortion at sixteen years old. The whole teenage pregnancy problem was gone, and I resumed my life. Up until I became a born-again follower of Christ, I hid and suppressed any feelings or emotions from the abortion. It was out-of-sight, out-of-mind…so I thought
There is something very real that happens to you when you have an abortion…it’s called Post Abortion Syndrome (PAS). It may take years (in my case, it took almost 25 years), but most of us who have had abortions share feelings of sorrow, anger, denial, guilt…etc. Satan absolutely uses these feelings to keep us in bondage.
For years after having my abortion, I felt totally uncomfortable around anything pregnancy or baby related. I tried avoiding that stuff like the plague. Avoidance is another symptom of PAS. Let me take a minute and speak to anyone who has had an abortion (or even if you’ve been involved in the decision). Paul tells us something in scripture that gives us hope. He tells us to forget the past and press on towards the goal (Jesus)! We need to hear that, really hear and meditate on that. Yes, abortion is a terrible, terrible thing. But the Bible says…
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
God says that even though our sins are scarlet red, He can make us white as snow! How wonderful! I found an incredibly healing Bible Study specifically for PAS. It was life giving! The Book that was used is called Forgiven and Set Free. There were other women who also had PAS at the Bible study. One particular scripture God had used to minister and heal me was from the book of Ezekiel…
“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart." Ezekiel 36:26
The Bible study helped me to be confident of God’s forgiveness. It allowed me to forgive myself and move forward with my life. If you have had an abortion, and you are having a tough time with all the crazy, negative feelings associated with PAS, please call your local Pregnancy center…they will help you to really get it deep down inside… you are forgiven and set free!
There is something very real that happens to you when you have an abortion…it’s called Post Abortion Syndrome (PAS). It may take years (in my case, it took almost 25 years), but most of us who have had abortions share feelings of sorrow, anger, denial, guilt…etc. Satan absolutely uses these feelings to keep us in bondage.
For years after having my abortion, I felt totally uncomfortable around anything pregnancy or baby related. I tried avoiding that stuff like the plague. Avoidance is another symptom of PAS. Let me take a minute and speak to anyone who has had an abortion (or even if you’ve been involved in the decision). Paul tells us something in scripture that gives us hope. He tells us to forget the past and press on towards the goal (Jesus)! We need to hear that, really hear and meditate on that. Yes, abortion is a terrible, terrible thing. But the Bible says…
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
God says that even though our sins are scarlet red, He can make us white as snow! How wonderful! I found an incredibly healing Bible Study specifically for PAS. It was life giving! The Book that was used is called Forgiven and Set Free. There were other women who also had PAS at the Bible study. One particular scripture God had used to minister and heal me was from the book of Ezekiel…
“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart." Ezekiel 36:26
The Bible study helped me to be confident of God’s forgiveness. It allowed me to forgive myself and move forward with my life. If you have had an abortion, and you are having a tough time with all the crazy, negative feelings associated with PAS, please call your local Pregnancy center…they will help you to really get it deep down inside… you are forgiven and set free!
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I had mentioned on my past entries about how much I hated abortion. I hate the sin but I don't hate the sinner. This entry is dedicated to all of us, sinners. Abortion is not the only sin that can build a barrier between us and God. We should always remember that if we repent, no matter how big our sin is, God will always accept us.
I want to thank Lori Laws for being my guest blogger. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and allowing my blog to borrow your words. Blessings to you my friend!
1 comment:
I am presently doing the study and it is AMAZING. I'm only halfway through, but I had NO IDEA how a decision I made 20 years ago could follow me around for so long.
Thanks for sharing this story
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