Post Abortion Syndrome

I want to spend one more day on King Ahaz because I think there is a connection between the sacrificing of his children and his increasing unfaithfulness.

We are told in 2 Chr. 28:3 that he “burned his children in the fire,” and in 2 chr 28:22 that he “became increasingly unfaithful.”

 

In this day and age, this “increasing unfaithfulness” is a common response to those who abort their children. It’s the result of what is called post abortion syndrome and it breaks out in many different ways. Here is a partial list of symptoms for those who have participated in the act of aborting their child.

• Bouts of crying
• Depression
• Guilt
• Inability to forgive yourself
• Intense grief / sadness
• Anger / rage
• Emotional numbness
• Sexual problems or promiscuity
• Eating disorders
• Lowered self esteem
• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Nightmares and sleep disturbances
• Suicidal urges
• Difficulty with relationships
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Flashbacks
• Multiple abortions
• Pattern of repeat crisis pregnancy
• Discomfort around babies or pregnant women
• Fear/ambivalence of pregnancy

 

Some of these symptoms are behaviors that are contrary to God’s Word. (rage, sexual promiscuity, drug and alcohol abuse, for example) These behaviors  are manifestations of “increasing unfaithfulness.” They are symptoms of someone who is trying to deal with intense emotional pain, rather than turning the burden over to Jesus and the cross.

 

We, in the church, don’t help the situation by ignoring the subject. It needs to be talked about! The sanctity of life needs to be taught  in our churches today: The sin of abortion needs to be exposed and the remedy  (the gospel) made clear. For the most part, this is just not happening in our churches today!

A recent survey found that 76% of women who aborted a child indicated that their local congregation had no influence on their decision to terminate their pregnancy! NO INFLUENCE? That tells me that the message of right and wrong never got through.

In addition, a Pew Research study revealed that 46%  of Missouri Synod Lutherans believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases.

These are just numbers, but I have personally counseled men and women who have struggled with the aftermath of their decision to abort their child. The struggle is intense and very real, but so is the release when the gospel of forgiveness through confession and absolution hits home.

Preach and teach sin! Preach and teach forgiveness! Rightly divide the word of truth! It is our only hope to set people free! And as always, remember, there is no sin that Christ did not pay for on the cross…..even the sin of abortion!

If you need help in this area, contact Lutherans For Life, they can steer you to the many resources that are available to help those wrestling with “life” decisions past and present.