Advice re: miscarriage vs. abortion

Post by **_livingink** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:00 pm

We've encountered a young lady who doubts her ability to receive saving grace. She became pregnant as a teenager, didn't want the baby, and took some type of medication in hopes of aborting the child. She later had a miscarriage and it is unlikely that the medicine she took would have been the direct cause. However, she believes she took a life and can not be forgiven for that.

What scripture verses and words of encouragement would you suggest that we give her?

Thanks,

livinginks

Post by **_mattrose** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 11:15 pm

I would remind her that a huge chunk of the Bible was written by people who were ex-murderers (Moses, David, Paul). God forgives.

Post by **_Sean** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 5:44 am

Paul is a good example to use, but I would also use David. Read from the scriptures what David did as king with bathsheeba, and how he then tried to cover this up. When that didn't work David had Uriah killed. Yet after all that, David when confronted with his sin repented and was forgiven (not that David got away with anything though).

Post by **_Allyn** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:14 am

Jesus said all sin is forgiven except the sin of rejecting the Holy Spirit (my interpretation) so this lady needs to be shown that she is being prodded by the Spirit and that prodding is being manifested by the guilt she feels over this behaviour. This manifestation is not to condemn her but to bring her into the relationship with God that this prodding is about. She needs to be shown that by accepting this grace that is being shown to her by the Spirit she will feel the forgiveness and life renewing experience of being a true child of God.

Post by **_Michelle** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:40 am

Poor girl, she's struggling under a huge amount of guilt and shame. How did she get the idea that what she did is unforgivable?

Here's what David said in Psalm 32:

3 When I kept silent, my bones grew old
Through my groaning all the day long.
4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
My vitality was turned into the drought of summer.
5 I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I have not hidden.
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,"
And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

Post by **_TK** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 10:34 am

i used to work with our church youth group and i would tell them when they are feeling condemned or shame about some sin that they should "take a bath" in Psalm 51, i.e. read it prayerfully and apply it. i heard this from an old sermon by Warren Wiersbe. i like the metaphor, because Ps 51 is about confession, cleansing, forgiveness and restoration.

TK

Post by **_livingink** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:43 pm

Thank you so much for the answers so far. We did point out Paul's chapter 7 & 8 conversation with the Romans. She was unaware that Paul had played such a role in persecuting the early believers and that he expressed remorse at not doing what he knew he should.

I really hate to answer Michelle's question but, in short, she was condemned by a so-called congregation claiming to be Christians. She describes an ultra-legalistic group with which she became involved who told her the unborn child was in Hell due to her actions. She had apparently confided in one of the group members. She was asked to leave the group because she had brought Satan into their midst. (They later disbanded but left her with a mountain of confused guilt)

Anyway, we will pass along the other comments and find these scriptures for her.

Livinginks

Post by **_Michelle** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 9:08 pm

Hi Livingink,

Sorry, it was actually more of a rhetorical question because I pretty much guessed what the problem was. What a shame that they kicked her out of the fellowship. Whoever she is, I've been praying for her off and on all day today. Will you be talking with her again soon?

Michelle

Post by **_livingink** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 9:36 pm

Yes, tomorrow. Keep praying! The verses from Romans made some headway last night. As we add David to her understanding we think she'll see she is not alone. She believes she continues to make mistakes even though she seeks God. We showed her how Paul felt the same way.

Livinginks

Post by **_Homer** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 10:15 pm

Livingink,

As Sean mentioned, the story of David is a good one. Also Romans 5:1-11 is very good.

May God bless and guide you in this work!