To think of anyone raped, beaten, abused, manipulated or coerced into sex is almost more than my heart can take. It happens in homes, in ISIS, in the sex industry, in more places than we want to think. Each incident is painful and hard to fathom and we must exercise care and compassion with those who experience it.
To have it result in pregnancy is something almost unbearable.
If this has happened to you, I am so sorry. I have no words to fix the wounds, but I can pray with you and for you. I can remind you of how beautifully created you are and how valued your life is by the Creator. I know this is true and I believe for you. May the whispers of God’s love touch your heart.
photo credit wewon31 #365 on Flickr
I think about you when I think about abortion, because I can’t imagine being in your shoes. Being forced into sex and finding new life growing within. Well, in a way I can. I was date-raped and I got pregnant. But it wasn’t brutal and so I sometimes wonder, what if it was?
Years ago I was told by fellow church members and a church leader that they’d understand if I terminated the pregnancy. But I couldn’t and wouldn’t because of what I knew about abortion and the value God places on life.
Dear friends, we’re told a lot of things in this world which shake our beliefs and cause us to doubt that God is still good. They cause us to think we must fix problems on our own.
We’re told women need to have this choice, to decide if a child lives or dies, because she may have been raped and its not her fault. And somehow we find it easier to dismiss the fact that its not the child’s fault either.
We’re often encouraged to believe that choosing death leads to gain in the woman’s life. But I know many women would tell you it’s not true. They would tell you of great loss instead.
I’ve heard heart-piercing accounts of women who chose to abort out of convenience. Because children are a burden, even a commodity. Like the career woman who found out she was having twins and aborted at the latest possible stage because they would get in the way of what she wanted in life. Her career. Yes, true story.
I’ve read intimate accounts of women who have aborted because they were mislead, confused, rejected, alone, and afraid. Many who believed they had no other option, or that choosing to continue the pregnancy was too hard, too unbearable. So often they face regret and years of heavyheartedness from a decision made in desperation.
I’m also hearing your stories of choosing life, or how you wouldn’t be here if your mom hadn’t fought the hard to give you life. I also know the amazing story of my twin niece’s and how my sister chose life for both babies.
When a woman believes that there is no hope outside of her situation, she is lost and prone to despair. She believes her options are limited to doing whatever she can to be rid of the problem. As if it never were.
She believes she has no choice.
And that’s exactly what the enemy would have us believe.
He’d have us believe our options are limited despite a God who is unlimited.
He’d have us believe our situations have an inevitable end, despite a God who works in the impossible by resurrecting new beginnings.
He’d have us believe we can circumvent pain rather than accepting pain as a part of life and finding rest, peace and comfort with the Father in the midst.
The enemy wants nothing more than to take our eyes off God and onto ourselves. Where, quite frankly, we have a tendency to make matters worse.
God says, trust me, seek me, press on to the finishing line.
And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. ~ Psalm 39:7
But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. ~ Isaiah 40:31
Jesus says, I am here. I am with you. I will never leave you.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ~ Isaiah 41:10
He says, in me you have hope everlasting.
Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. ~ Proverbs 23:18
God is in the business of redeeming & He can redeem even the worst of situations.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. ~ Romans 15:13
Dear friend, and dear woman who may have faced, or is currently facing, unplanned & undesired circumstances, there is hope.
If you have had an abortion and are facing the pain many face after wards, there is hope.
I don’t know the answers to whatever you may face, but I do know your situation can be redeemed. You are not beyond the love and care of the very God who formed you in your mother’s womb.
When there seems to be no choice, you can still choose hope.
Choose to listen to the words of the One who breathes life into our very souls. The only One who offers any of us real hope. And if I may, I’d love to pray for you now. Whomever you are, where ever you are. God knows.
Father, you are here and present even now, with me and with the dear one reading this. You breathed life into our very beings and you treasure each one of us so amazingly. Thank you for your love which knows no borders. None of us are out of your reach or your care. I ask for your real and present help in moments of trouble which my friend here may be experiencing right now. You are reminding us that you are here. Right now.
Your ability to help in times of desperation is beyond what we could understand. Give this dear one faith to believe in your goodness, your love and your power. Grant her the blessings of knowing you see her and her circumstances. Bring comfort to her heart in a beautiful way today. Take her shame, her guilt, her sadness, her anger, her pain and give her your unending mercy and extravagant grace in return. We come together, seeking You. ~ Amen
with love
Jolene
Thank you for joining me as I unravel my stories. I’d love to continue meeting you here and I’d love to hear from you in return. Let’s cultivate a life well-lived together.
Tweetables
[tweetthis]Prayers for the woman who believes abortion is her only choice. #choosehope”[/tweetthis]
[tweetthis]Because God is in the business of redeeming even the worst of situations, we can choose hope.[/tweetthis]
[tweetthis]Hold fast to your confession of hope. He is faithful. Hebrews 10:21[/tweetthis]
Pinnable
Beautiful and brave. Keep speaking out about God’s heart for His women. I was also date rape, although it did not result in a pregnancy. I can’t even imagine. What I do know that life is precious. All life. No matter how it comes about.
Thank you so much Barbie. I’m so sorry it happened to you too. And Amen. All life is given by our Creator who deeply values His creation.
Jolene, there is always HOPE. I sat on the board of our local pregnancy center years ago and oh, the stories. I’m sorry you lost subscribers with this post – but don’t fret, you spoke truth and God demands truth even when it is uncomfortable.
I am a huge proponent of HOPE, because HOPE CHANGES EVERYTHING! xo Write on my friend.