“My dad was a pastor. I knew abortion was wrong. But, at the time, I was more afraid of what my family would think about me than anything else,” shares Kayla. “But now, I constantly worry that God won’t forgive me. If I can’t forgive myself, how will God forgive me?”
If you can relate to Kayla’s story, you’re not alone. Choosing something you believe is wrong—whether out of fear, pressure, or pain—can leave a heavy burden on your heart. The weight of guilt and shame can feel overwhelming, making it hard to imagine forgiveness, let alone healing.
But here’s the truth: God’s forgiveness is available to you, and He wants to lift that burden from your shoulders.
So how do we experience God’s forgiveness?
The good news is that God’s forgiveness is not something you have to earn. It’s a gift, freely given. Yet, accepting and walking in that forgiveness is both simple and transformative. Let’s explore how.
Understanding God’s Character
When you think of God, what image comes to mind? Is He distant, angry, or ready to punish you for your mistakes? Many of us carry misconceptions about God’s character, but Scripture paints a different picture: God is a loving Father, ready to embrace us with grace and mercy.
God doesn’t weigh our sins on a scale. Whether the wrong feels small or monumental, His forgiveness is complete. In fact, before you were even born, He knew every choice you would make, and He prepared a way for your redemption. His love is greater than your mistakes, no matter how deep they feel.
Accessing God’s Forgiveness
So how do we take hold of this forgiveness? It begins with confession. The Bible assures us, “If we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, ESV).
When we knowingly do something that we know is wrong, our relationship with God becomes estranged. However, confessing our sins to God helps restore that relationship. Confessing means simply praying to God and telling Him what we’ve done. While He already knows every wrong we’ve ever committed, when we confess these wrongs to Him, it’s a relational act that signals our desire to restore the relationship—and the Bible tells us that He is just to forgive us when we earnestly ask and desire this forgiveness.
Along with confession, we must repent from the wrong action “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19, ESV). Repenting means changing our mind about the sin so that we don’t ever want to do it again. God doesn’t just want us to confess, He wants our confession to be the first step in a transformation toward not committing that wrong action again.
Living Out God’s Forgiveness
While confession and repentance are pivotal steps, walking in forgiveness is often a process. It requires releasing the shame and guilt that linger and embracing the truth that God has already washed away your sins.
Living in forgiveness means silencing the inner voice that condemns you and replacing it with God’s promises. It’s a journey, not a one-time moment, and it’s okay to need support along the way.
You Don’t Have to Walk Alone
If you’ve taken these steps but still struggle to forgive yourself, know this: you’re not alone. Healing after an abortion is deeply personal, but it’s also a path best traveled with support.
At Choices, we understand the unique pain and weight of abortion. That’s why we offer no-cost, one-on-one support and group meetings led by trained facilitators who provide a safe, compassionate space for healing. Many of our staff have walked this journey themselves, and they are here to encourage and guide you every step of the way.
Whether in-person or over Zoom, our sessions offer the chance to process your feelings, find hope, and take meaningful steps toward healing.
Hope and Healing Are Possible
You don’t have to carry this burden alone. God’s forgiveness is real and so is the support available to help you live in that freedom. Reach out to us today to begin your journey toward hope and healing. All appointments and resources are completely free and confidential.