Hope For Abortion’s Second Victim
On January 23, 1973 the United States Supreme Court legalized abortion on demand. Since that decision, there have been well over 1.5 million abortions performed each year in the United States according to the statistics that have been gathered from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention out of Atlanta, Georgia. Current statistics tell us that approximately sixty million innocent babies have lost their lives.
Sixty million abortions account only for the lives of the children. It does not account for the millions who still live in the torment of their sin. Those individuals are commonly referred to as “Abortion’s Second Victim,” or “The Walking Wounded.” We believe that there is only one answer for these individuals. That answer is found in Jesus Christ.
In the book of Isaiah, the Spirit of God speaks of the exaltation of the afflicted. The scripture says:
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives, and freedom to prisoners; to proclaim the favorable year of the LORD and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. And they shall rebuild the old ruins, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations.” Isaiah 61:1-4
The Scripture quoted above is truly a mission statement for Healing Hearts Ministries. Many of us searched high and low for solutions to our pain and torment but inevitably we found that apart from Jesus and the Word of God, there is no healing or peace. It is for that reason that God called us to “bring good news to the afflicted…and to bind up the brokenhearted”.
Why We Help After Abortion
Healing Hearts Ministries began as a post-abortion counseling service open to anyone suffering from the effects of post-abortion trauma. However, it is not only women who suffer from abortion. Abortion effects everyone: fathers, grandparents, siblings – even the medical professionals who perform them.
“Abortion affects every life it touches”
All of the abortion lay counselors involved with Healing Hearts Ministries have personally experienced the tragedy of abortion. We understand the confusion, emptiness, and heartache which so often follow. We understand these feelings because we have experienced them.
Many of us tried various ways of “coping” with our pain… trying not to think about it, having another baby, drugs, alcohol, therapy, etc. But none of these produced any lasting peace. In desperation, some have even attempted suicide.
Eventually we realized that no amount of “coping” could ever bring rest to our troubled souls. We realized that Post-Abortion Trauma is more than an emotional problem… it is a spiritual one.
Ultimately, we found true peace and healing through Jesus Christ. Only He can offer forgiveness and restoration.
Jesus Said: “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.” We want to share the hope and healing that we have found.
Post Abortion Trauma: Can You Relate?
No term can adequately express the heartbreak that abortion causes, but for the purposes of identification we will call it “Post-Abortion Trauma.” Common feelings associated with Post-Abortion Trauma include guilt, grief, anger and regret. These feelings frequently manifest themselves through anti-social, self-destructive, and other abnormal behaviors. Many who suffer from Post-Abortion Trauma experience flashbacks, nightmares, and varying degrees of depression.
Another aspect of Post-Abortion Trauma is that it doesn’t always hit right away. Because the reality of abortion has a way of catching up with everyone, Post-Abortion Trauma acts like an emotional time-bomb waiting to go off in an individual’s life. It can go off anywhere and at any time…it knows no statute of limitations.
We know that many people who say they have no regrets speak prematurely.
Amy’s own words best convey her eventual change of heart:
“For the first six years after my abortion, I could have taken a pro-choice sign and marched with it, if I was a more vocal, public person. Finally, I became aware of what abortion as a ‘procedure’ does to both people. I saw the studies on fetal development and reality set in. At first I was angry at not being told, I couldn’t figure why I had to ask to be informed. So now, seven years later, I know my life will go on, but I will never be able to forget that I selfishly murdered my own child.”
When the emotional time bomb does go off, it can be a cold, frightening, and lonely experience. For many individuals, their pain surfaces with an incredible need to talk about their feelings and share their stories, hurts, and sorrows. It is at this time many recognize they need help and seek out someone to confide in…a trusted friend, counselor, or someone with a common experience. Others suffer silently, afraid to confess their involvement with abortion to anyone for fear of being judged, shunned, or rejected.
It is for this very reason that Healing Hearts Ministries was formed. Healing Hearts is made up of people who understand the heartbreak of abortion from personal experience. All of our post-abortion counselors have had their own hearts broken by abortion and they know what it is like to ache inside. They know what it is like to try to stop thinking about it. They know what it’s like to feel alone. But above all, they know that abortion is much more than an emotional problem, it is a spiritual one.
Healing Hearts provides confidential one-on-one online and group counseling to anyone suffering from the effects of an abortion. If you have personally had an abortion and would like to receive healing for your wounded heart, we encourage you to inquire about a live group in your local area or sign up to do our online study. Entering a Healing Hearts Bible study and walking through the healing process with someone who has been in your shoes is a decision that you will never regret.
