They call our hot line with vivid memories, as one young woman recalled:

"I can still remember the room and the old leather chairs. It was so cold and quiet. Women from all walks of life silently sitting there waiting. Our paths were crossing at this terrible place, a place where life was exchanged for death. We would now all be connected with this same, horrible secret.

"I could barely pick my head up to look at anyone. When I did for a second, I could see no one looked as if they wanted to be there. The lights were bright but the darkness I felt deep within my soul made seeing anything nearly impossible. I kept asking myself, what had brought all these women here? Were their reasons anything like mine? Were they sitting there blaming other people? Was there anyone else here that was being sexually abused by their step-father? I blamed my mother. After all, she gave me no choice in the matter. She simply said you will have an abortion. Why did she use drugs and bring abusive men in our home, one right after another, my whole life? I wanted to run out of that horrible place but no one cared. Where was God? Why had a loving God let such terrible things happen to me? Tears filled my eyes and deep sobs poured from my soul in that cold room. I knew this was wrong. My mom signed the papers because I was only 15. But, I allowed my baby to be aborted."

This caller’s story, like so many, is heartbreaking. I can just imagine Satan taunting her, "You unforgivable sinner!" The constant agonizing regret, guilt, and shame from the past mixed with fear and anxiety for the future can bind and paralyze our relationship with God.

Let’s look at when shame made its debut. Genesis 2:25 says, "The man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed." Then Satan slithered onto the scene to deceive Eve. When Eve fell into sin and took Adam with her, their reaction was to hide and cover up their mistake. That’s exactly what so many do after an abortion for so many painful years. When you keep the secret in darkness Satan can use it against you. He is the father of darkness and the author of shame. He constantly whispers that you are worthless and that if anyone ever found out about your secret they would condemn you. But that is a lie from the pit of hell.

When women and men finally bring their sin to the light, God will meet them with His grace, healing, and forgiveness. Then God will give you the courage to let Him take all your shame.

Many who have come to Word of Hope want to share their stories so that others might be given healing and not make the same mistake. We have seen God touch and heal the shame of an abortion.

Jesus alone has the power to heal what we have buried and tried to hide for so long. Remember that Jesus Christ defeated Satan with the cross. Because of that, we do not have to be held captive to shame at the hands of our enemy any longer. With Christ we are spotless, clean and pure without blemish. Let His grace be enough for you today as you trust Him to work all things for His good.