Offering Healing after an Abortion

Offering Healing After Abortion
Clyde C. Besson

A friend recently said to me “I have never heard anyone in any church teach or preach about emotional healing after an abortion.” I began to think about her statement and asked myself why we in the church do not address this needed healing for those who have experienced an abortion. I came to the conclusion that it is easier to hold a sign condemning abortion, scream obstinacies, and choose hatred and violence rather than to walk beside a woman or a family who has experienced this pain and offer healing. Maybe we are afraid we will be viewed as approving of abortion. Jesus condemned all sin, but never stopped loving the person. In God’s eyes there are no little and big sins. All sin is sin. There is not any sin that is beyond God’s forgiveness and healing.

Through my counseling ministry, with God’s leadership, I have personally assisted a number of men and women through this healing process. Through this I have learned several things. Usually the person who has experienced an abortion feels shame, anger, and guilt, often accompanied with depression. God has given me an exercise that has helped many find healing. After counseling and at the appropriate time I suggest to the person I’m working with that we go through an exercise that facilitates healing. Let me share it with you. I am going to take you through this exercise as if I am speaking directly to you. Give yourself time to visualize all that is taking place.

“Father, you know the need for healing and forgiveness. I pray now that Your Spirit will comfort and heal this wounded heart and soul.”
“ Please close your eyes and visualize the scene where the abortion took place. Jesus quietly enters the room and you see that His eyes are filled with love for you. He takes off His coat and covers you. He touches your hand. With tenderness in His voice, He speaks softly that though He does not approve of the abortion, He loves you completely. Jesus goes on to say that He died on the cross to pay for what is taking place. He offers you a check signed in His blood and asks you to accept His payment and to forgive yourself.”

Recognizing that there is often anger toward others who are involved (a man who is not willing to accept responsibility for the child, a parent who is too ashamed to stand with his/ her daughter or son and forces the decision to have an abortion, or others who may have been involved in the decision) we must move on to forgiving others.

“There are others to forgive now. Please picture Jesus speaking to the person that hurt you, saying, ” I do not approve of what you have done to my child, but I paid for it on the cross.” Jesus turns to you and gives you another check signed with His blood, and asks you to accept the payment for what the other person did that hurt you. As an act of the will, now go to that person who hurt you so deeply and say, “What you have done hurt me, but because I have the payment of Jesus, I forgive you.”

“We are ready to go now. Jesus is walking with you. As He holds your hand and you walk away, stop and look back. The scene has totally changed. Instead of the hurt and pain you see the cross of Christ, and a carpet of His crimson blood. Jesus whispers to you that from now on, when you think of this event you will see the cross and the blood as a reminder that He paid for all your sin in full and you are now clean, restored, and forgiven.”

“As you and Jesus walk toward the rest of your life together, you see fields of flowers and the beauty of His creation. Jesus reminds you of how much He loves you, how special you are, and that He has a future and a plan filled with hope for your life. For the next few moments, I want you to enjoy the love and presence of Jesus who claims you as His own sister.”

“When you are comfortable, you may open your eyes to God’s beautiful today and your dreams of tomorrow.”

This is the beginning of the healing process. Full recovery involves affirming worth and internalizing that forgiveness has taken place. If needed, I am happy to guide anyone through this exercise and help provide the resources for healing after abortion.

We the church must face this issue. We live in a real world and cannot solve this problem with hate and violence. Our only choice is to offer hope and Godly counsel to those who are considering abortion. If it has already taken place, we are commanded by our Lord to offer His forgiveness, healing, and love.