Category: Forgiveness and Faith

Leaders Perspective – Facing the Dark, Hidden Secret of Abortion: Part 1

Posted on by Mindy L

“Can I come to one meeting, then not come to the next if it gets too hard then show up at a later meeting?”

J. didn’t think she could handle the emotional journey she was signing up for in the Forgiven and Set Free bible study. The above was one of her questions as we communicated by phone prior to our first group meeting. The fear in her voice was palatable. During J’s initial group session, she shed many tears as she shared some of her story with us.

For several weeks I would reach out to her in between our sessions. She had a lot of questions about the things she was feeling or the thoughts mulling about in her head so, we would spend time chatting and sorting through them. While the details of her story are unique to her, the feelings she was processing through are universal to nearly all women who struggle with a past abortion experience. Fear, shame, guilt, anxiety, thinking she is all alone, thinking something is wrong with her because she can’t get past how she feels, engaging in negative self-talk, and thinking she must remain silent because others will reject her. These are all common and normal emotions and thoughts for a woman with an abortion in her past.

After week four I was pretty confidant all the participants would finish the study. Little did I know the warfare and breakthrough on the horizon for J. She came to group for week five with a story to tell. I cannot do her experience justice, but I will give it a go since it’s important for you to know how powerful your prayers were which covered her.

J. had been talking with a close friend about the group and sharing some of what was she was learning about God, herself, and her abortion. Her friend was misinterpreting J’s information as something that was negative for J. As any good friend would do, she encouraged her to leave the group. Quit! J. considered her point of view and prayed. J. was angry, hurt, confused, depressed and anxious about what to do. Then God showed up. He met her in her confused state, settled her heart with understanding that she was going through this study to be free of the many years of shame that cloaked her, grow in her relationship with the Lord, and give her child some dignity.

It’s important to understand, at this point in the study, she had not made a connection with her child. Yet, she clasped a hold of what God was showing her, drew off His strength with renewed enthusiasm and hope.

Abortion Recovery is the Hardest Journey A Woman May Ever Take but This Journey Has a Rich Reward at the End

Posted on by Mindy L

I like to describe going through an abortion recovery bible study as a journey similar to hiking the John Muir Trail (JMT). Disclaimer: I’ve never hiked this trail, nor do I ever see myself doing so. However, I’ve watched many YouTube videos of others who have.

Hikers will take up to three weeks to complete this trail. They will hike 221 miles, have a total elevation gain/loss of 46,000 feet (yes, I typed that number correctly), the trail is difficult to strenuous crossing over 11 mountain passes, many of them over 12,000 feet. Hikers will scramble over large rocks, endure lightning, sun exposure, heavy rain, snow and icy mountain paths with steep drop offs. While I would never enjoy this kind of a journey, I also won’t experience the incredible views, amazing landscape, and crispy-clear stargazing from those mountain peaks.

Much like the JMT, the bible study the ladies journey through can be emotionally strenuous at times. It is never easy dredging up a secret wrought with shame. There is an internal fear of being consumed by the truth of what they have done. We lead them gently and confidently, helping them overcome the challenges they face. It is a privilege to guide them on the path to their Father’s arms, battle earnestly in prayer against the lies of the enemy, and listen to their sorrows as they grieve for their baby. Those that finish are giddy with excitement because they’ve conquered their fear, grown closer to God, and have inexpressible joy as they behold the breathtaking views of freedom from the mountain top.

While we have the honor of guiding them on this journey we know the victory is won by your prayer support. You hold up our arms and we feel it. Again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Leader’s Perspective – From Fear to Freedom In Christ After Abortion

Posted on by Mindy L

S. came to us very apprehensive about facing her past. She knew God wanted her to get some help when a lady at church asked her how many children she had. That question triggered her fear, anxiety and depression because the only two children she will ever have were aborted 30+ years ago.

We talked before the group began so she could connect with me and decide if she could trust me as her facilitator. As the study progressed she experienced several breakthroughs and setbacks. There were two times I thought she wouldn’t return. Strong pray warriors, you petitioned God and He intervened on her behalf giving her the strength and courage to face the next chapter’s work and show up on zoom. There were several weeks she and I would chat about her concerns and pray together between group sessions.

The second to last chapter deals with the baby. When I was giving the homework instructions encouraging participants to write a letter to their baby assigning them a gender and a name, we could physically see her withdraw from the conversation. S. became quiet where previously she was reveling in God’s goodness. Fear paralyzes! The disciples spent three years of intimate fellowship with Christ, yet, they ran when Jesus was being arrested

That zoom lasted 1.5 hours longer than normal as myself and my co-leader let the ladies work through their fear with many tears. We reminded them of the fear they already worked through, read scripture and prayed with them. Right now you know the end of the story; that they persevered. At the time, we didn’t know if they’d return or not so once again we petitioned you for prayer.

What took place in S.’s life that week was so sweet. Before she began the chapter work on Saturday she called me so we could pray together. Sunday afternoon she called me to share the low valleys and high peaks she had gone through since Saturday. Apparently, as she was working through the study and before she reached the part where she would write her letter, God was blessing her with His word and she was encouraged to write her letters. Then several distractions came her way and she had to put the study down. Later that evening a dread of writing her letters came over her, spiraling her into a depression that kept her from church in the morning and in bed most of Sunday. She counseled herself that her children receive dignity and humanity by receiving a name, which she (their mom) can give them. What happened in that moment was powerful. She came off her bed deciding to walk in the newness of life. She brought her children out of the shadows and into the light, in the process, death lost its grip on her. Her children now have personhood. To God be all the glory.

S. and I were talking on the phone the other day and discussing what God wants for her to do. She loves children so I suggested working in the children’s ministry. She said, “I can’t, it’s too hard….” Then she stopped herself and said, “Yes, I do love working with kids, I’d love to do that.” The switch from one to the other was incredible. She has definitely received deep healing.