When individual finds themselves in an unexpected pregnancy, many are overwhelmed with feelings of hopelessness. They believe their future is slipping through their fingers and see their dreams are being dashed. They often feel alone and assume their life will never be the same again. Hopelessness causes individuals to do things they would never consider doing given a different situation. They feel desperate, believing there is no hope for things to end well, they move into a state of panic and survival; and that is never a good place to be when facing a life-altering decision.
Many who choose abortion do so because they feel if they have this baby, their life is over. Hopelessness finds its way into their thoughts and decision-making, and they often feel as if abortion is their only way out.
The church is strategically placed to help individuals in this situation see that abortion is not what brings them hope but only furthers regret and pain. It is truth in love that will bring freedom. Here are just a few ways we can help bring hope.
- Offer support. Many individuals just need someone who will commit to helping them navigate the unknown. We can assist in filling in the gaps with those things that will help to alleviate the overwhelming obstacles.
- Recall times they overcame difficult things in their past. Help them remember how they overcame circumstances they previously thought were impossible, and yet here they are, on the other side of them. Encourage them to realize they won’t always feel this way and this too shall pass.
- Help them see big picture. Help them to rise above the immediate and see what their life can be. Call out their strength – remind them they are stronger than they think they are.
- Guide them in setting tangible goals to move ahead. Sometimes you just need to take the next step. When paralysis sets in, hopelessness rises. Just taking the next step helps individuals to start moving forward and before they know it, they’re on the other side of what they thought was impossible.
There are many opportunities during Sunday morning sermons to integrate a message of hope. By mentioning how there is even hope in an unplanned pregnancy, will message that Jesus Christ and His bride, the church, bring hope and life to every difficult circumstance. A great way to do this is to have someone who had an unplanned pregnancy in their past share their testimony of how what they thought was the worse thing that could happen to them, ended up being their greatest blessing with the joy of their child.
Scriptures promising hope through the Lord.
Isaiah 40:31 – “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Psalm 62:5-6 – “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”
Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Proverbs 23:18 – “There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.”
2 Corinthians 4:18 – “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
1 Peter 5:10 – “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
Lamentations 3:21-23 – “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Proverbs 13:12 – “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”
Hebrews 6:19 – “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”
May God continue to bless you as you are a conduit of life, healing and hope!!
