Wow! What a night we had last night! The Spirit of God was present and moving and I am so grateful for everyones contributions to discussion time. How awesome to come together and share with each other, study God's Word and learn more about who He is, all while having a good laugh...or many as the case was last night! (Thank you, Kristine! Your quick wit always catches me off guard and has me in stitches!) I will post the "Highlights" from last night shortly for those who were absent, but received this devotional by email from Proverbs 31 Ministries and felt that it speaks so loudly about the very things we are studying together that I just had to pass it along to you. Also, for anyone not familiar with "blogging", commenting is very simple and if you're not ready to put your name in print, feel free to post anonymously. God can only begin to heal and restore when we acknowledge our needs and sometimes what we share is meant to encourage someone else and facilitate healing for them. So speak of, if you feel led, and of course feel free to give Chelle and Christy a hard time...it helps keep them in line! :-) Have a great day!!
September 18, 2008
My Secret
“I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant. Their faces are never covered with shame.”
Psalm 34:4-5 (NIV)
Devotion:
The young teenage girl named
Yesterday, you read Luann’s beautiful devotion about her making the last minute decision to not abort her baby. Sixteen years ago I was also a young woman panicked and sitting in an abortion clinic. Only unlike Luann and Sidney, tragically, I kept my appointment. And I can honestly say, the grief that entered my life that day has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to face. For years I kept this secret buried deep within my heart. I was so ashamed, so horrified, so convinced that if anyone ever found out I’d had an abortion, I’d be rejected by all my church friends and deemed a woman unfit to serve God.
So I suffered in silence, wrapped in a cloak of shame.
Going to church was incredibly hard during those years. I was convinced I was the only Christian woman who’d ever had an abortion. I’d never heard another Christian woman share this as a part of her testimony. Never did I hear of anyone speak of the hope and grace that Jesus provides to those of us who were suffering from making that decision. I only heard well-meaning Christians debate the issue of abortion with very strong words. Their words stung, made my heart seize and my eyes feel like they’d explode into a flood of a million tears.
Don’t get me wrong, the issue of abortion is serious and we should take a strong stand against it. But we must also remember that it’s more than a topic of religious and political debate. For one in three women within the church, it is one of the most painful parts of their life story. One for which they want to find forgiveness and healing, but are too afraid of being judged to share their secret with anyone.
So they suffer in silence, wrapped in a cloak of shame.
Sweet friend, is this you? Are you in this place? Can I offer you a lifeline today? There is hope and healing that can be found. It is possible to be forgiven and to let go of the emotional pain. For me, there were three things that helped my healing more than anything. First, I sought help from my local
Remember
Dear Lord, please tenderly give us the courage to face the secrets hidden in our hearts. Lord, we ask for your forgiveness. And we ask for your healing. Please help us see some kind of good come from our past mistakes. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa TerKeurst’s blog to read the letter she wrote to her child that she referred to in today’s devotion.
Who Holds the Key To Your Heart? by Lysa TerKeurst. This book and Bible study were written specifically for people who are suffering in silence due to shame from their past.
Spend some time asking Jesus how He wants you to respond to today’s devotion.
Application:
Take time to pray for women in your community and church who are suffering from the pain of abortion.
Consider giving your time and resources to help your local
Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 1:3-4, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” (NIV)
Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (NIV)
© 2008 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G,
Matthews, NC 28105
2 comments:
Let me see if I can figure out how to leave a comment.
Girls thank you so much for the blog. I love it and it makes me feel like I am a part. I have a quick question. I was wanting to know if you had assigned readings each week or homework. If so, would you be willing to post them? I would like to keep up with everyone.
Michelle
Yes, Michelle, I should've had them posted already! For last week we were supposed to read chapters one and two. This week we are supposed to read Chapters 3,4, and 5. I'm getting ready to post "Highlights for Week 2", which will have more info. I'm so glad that you are joining us! You have to post lots, so we can share your insights as well!
Love ya,
Jenelle
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