Jul 13, 2020

Helping the Post-Abortion Woman

 
 

Discuss & Study Together Psalm 51

  • Recognition of the sin 51:1-5 (the act of abortion as well as the sin nature; denial, i.e. lying to hide the shame – Luke 22:55-62)
  • Godly sorrow vs. worldly sorrow 2 Co 7:10
  • Forgiveness from God – 51:6-11 (brokenness over sin gives way to peace, joy; freedom from guilt – Ro 8:1,2; fruit of repentance Mt 3:8)
  • Restoration to a place of growth and service – 51:12-19 (Restoration produces a desire to minister to others - :13-15;  penance is no longer necessary -:16, but service flows out of gratitude to God for His restoration - :17-19.  Help her learn to direct her anger toward godly solutions – Ps 4:4,5.  Help her to make restitution to others against whom she has sinned – Mt 5:23,24; Jas 5:16;  and to be ready to forgive others – Mt 18:35.  She needs to be in a church that will help her continue to grow and serve.  Often the post-abortion woman finds true healing in ministering to others desiring to have  or who have also had an abortion – 2 Co 1:3-4.
  • Help her see that this Psalm was written by a murderer and whom God forgave and used mightily because of Ps 51:17.  Also Apostle Paul was a murderer before adopted.  

 

Help all others connected with the abortion. 

 

  1.     Father of the unborn child (guilt for somehow not preventing the abortion for an  abortion against his will.)

  2.     Parents of both the mother and father of the unborn child (guilt for demanding the abortion;  anger and grief for not knowing until it was too late to stop the abortion.)

  3.     Older siblings of the aborted child (didn’t they want us either?)

 

Help her to acknowledge the aborted child or children.

  • Recognize the humanness of the aborted child.  (Some suggest naming the baby a generic name to give identity, having a private memorial service for the baby, writing a poem, planting a tree, or creating art in honor of the child.  Writing a letter might be beneficial as long as it is not seen as communication with the dead child, but only as an expression of the mother’s emotions.)
  • Comfort with Jesus’ Words about children.  Mt 19:14, Lk 18:16  (I personally believe that aborted children will be in Heaven with the Lord.  David believed that his infant son would also be there and he would be with him someday – 2 Sa 12:23.  God is just and merciful!  - Eze 18.)

 Homework ideas:

  1.     Understanding her emotions and issues through doing the “Nightly Journal” Assignment.  Ask her to write out what she is thinking and feeling, what she fears, and learn to biblically address it

  2.     Help her to understand the sanctification process and how God sees her in Christ.  Php 1:6, Eph 1, col 2:10-14; Ro 8:1-2, 28-29.  (This concept is essential in helping her to move past her self-condemnation.)

  3.     Have her read Leaving Yesterday Behind – A Victim No More by William L. Hines and/or Living in Forgiveness by Sandy Day
  1.     Father of the unborn child (guilt for somehow not preventing the abortion;  anger for an  abortion against his will.)

  2.     Parents of both the mother and father of the unborn child (guilt for encouraging or demanding the abortion;  anger and grief for not knowing until it was too late to stop the abortion.)

  3.     Older siblings of the aborted child (didn’t they want us either?)

 

Help her to acknowledge the aborted child or children.

  • Recognize the humanness of the aborted child.  (Some suggest naming the baby a generic name to give identity, having a private memorial service for the baby, writing a poem, planting a tree, or creating art in honor of the child.  Writing a letter might be beneficial as long as it is not seen as communication with the dead child, but only as an expression of the mother’s emotions.)
  • Comfort with Jesus’ Words about children.  Mt 19:14, Lk 18:16  (I personally believe that aborted children will be in Heaven with the Lord.  David believed that his infant son would also be there and he would be with him someday – 2 Sa 12:23.  God is just and merciful!  - Eze 18.)

 Homework ideas:

  • Understanding her emotions and issues through doing the “Nightly Journal” Assignment.  Ask her to write out what she is thinking and feeling, what she fears, and learn to biblically address it
  • Help her to understand the sanctification process and how God sees her in Christ.  Php 1:6, Eph 1, col 2:10-14; Ro 8:1-2, 28-29.  (This concept is essential in helping her to move past her self-condemnation.)
  • Have her read Leaving Yesterday Behind – A Victim No More by William L. Hines and/or Living in Forgiveness by Sandy Day