Recently social media has been filled with undercover videos taken by the Center for Medical Progress. These videos revealed conversations with Planned Parenthood employees and executives, showing their nonchalant, cold, and calculating attitude about life in the womb. They also exposed the reality of abortion providers who admit human lives are destroyed through the abortion procedure, yet simply don’t care. As William Wilberforce once said, “You may choose to look away, but you can never say again that you did not know.”
For most it’s possible to walk away from this discussion and go on with life wearing blinders, avoiding the harsh reality of abortion. But many women and men don’t have that luxury. The sights and sounds of those videos triggered a post-traumatic reaction of repressed memories and emotions from their own abortion experience. One in three women under the age of 45 has experienced an abortion. No doubt, many silent and hurting women have been wounded again as they came face to face with the reality about their “procedure”.
Perhaps some experienced heightened anxiety, confusion, and nightmares. Deeper depression, sorrow, and shame may overwhelm many. Maybe some will return to their personal method of coping with the grief and pain by drinking, drugs and other addictions. These strong reactions are normal. The trauma of abortion can result in negative emotions and behaviors that last for years. Many go through life unaware that their damaged relationships, inability to bond with children, and their addictions are related to the trauma of their abortion. They live in despair with these and other post-traumatic symptoms, not seeing any hope for a changed life.
But there is hope! A percentage of these post-abortive women and men seek healing for their post-traumatic stress. Recovery and healing are possible through the support and care offered by post-abortion recovery ministries like PCC’s Hearts Restored: Healing After Abortion.
The release of these videos has elevated cultural awareness of the abortion issue. It is also an opportunity to increase awareness that hope and healing is available. Please tell your friends, your church, and your family members who are hurting that someone cares. Tell them healing is the best “choice”.
What if, instead of shaming those who have chosen abortion in their past, we show them the Gospel of extravagant grace? Now is the time to invite those with buried burdens to safely bring their brokenness and pain to those who want to help. Repentance is not about condemnation, but about experiencing restoration and freedom to live an abundant joy-filled life.
Perhaps you didn’t watch the videos, but just heard about them. Either way, you still must choose how you will respond to them. Please… don’t look away!
Hearts Restored: Healing After Abortion support and counseling offers a compassionate and fully confidential way to address this pain and this now undeniable reality. Tell a friend to privately contact Sue Ketchum at 812-567-3150 and WomensHeartsRestored@gmail.com or Don Stuart at 812-720-0802 and MensHeartsRestored@gmail.com
