Latest / Jo Watson: Unfiltered Faith / Abortion: God's Forgiveness
Transcript
- Jo Watson: Welcome back to Unfiltered Faith. I'm Joe Watson and it's time to breathe. Time to slow down. Time to let your shoulders drop and time to step into the sanctuary. Not the sanctuary we're all so familiar with, but the one that God is building inside you. Family, this is the space where we tell the truth. Sit with the hard things and let God's grace do what shame cannot. Today's episode is tender, and it's one of those conversations that asks us to look at the parts of our story we've tried to bury. Because you see, sometimes even after we've prayed, repented, and moved forward, the past still this. But hear me when I say God's forgiveness is not fragile, and his mercy does not expire. Let's go to a letter that came in from someone who's been carrying a secret for years, a secret that's been haunting her peace. Dear unfiltered faith, I'm struggling with something that happened years ago. I tried to trust that God has forgiven me, but I continue to be haunted by it. When I was sixteen I had an abortion. The boy I was pregnant by didn't want anything to do with me, and I was afraid to talk to my mother about it. I was so afraid and felt so alone, so I made the decision alone. I have since married and And my husband and I have a family, but I am still bothered by the choice I made when I was younger. Has God really forgiven me? And if he is, how can I accept that? Signed A Haunted Heart. Dear haunted heart, thank you for your courage. Thank you for trusting this space with something so heavy. Let me say this clearly. Yes, God has forgiven you. The cross was not partial. The blood of Jesus didn't cover some sins, it covered all our sins. First John says Chapter one verse nine says If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. You confessed and you've carried the weight, but now it's time to let grace carry you. You said you're haunted, but the haunting is not from God. It's the echo of shame that. Trying to convince you that God's mercy has limits. But the truth is mercy doesn't have limits, it has a name, and that name is Jesus. Romans chapter eight verse one says there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, and that means you. You are not condemned. You are covered by the blood of Christ. And I want you to hear this deep in your spirit. You are not defined by the decision you made at 16. You are defined by the redemption that met you afterward. Family, maybe you're listening to this episode and you've got your own version of this story. Maybe it's not abortion, maybe it's addiction, maybe it's betrayal, or maybe it's a secret you've never told anyone. Whatever it is, hear this. God's forgiveness is not a feeling, it's a fact. Psalm 103 12 says, as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed. Our transgressions from us. That means your past can't catch up to your present unless you keep turning around to look at it. Stop rehearsing what God has already released. Stop replaying what He has already redeemed. You are not the mistake. You are the miracle that came after it. I want to stop right here. And pray for our listener who wrote this letter. And I want to pray for you if you've been carrying the shame of something you have not been able to lay down. Let's pray. Father, today we lift up every heart haunted by the past, every woman, every man, every soul that still feels unworthy of your forgiveness. Remind them that your mercy is not fragile. Remind them that your grace is not temporary. Remind them that the cross was and is enough. Silence the voice of shame. Heal the memories that still sting, and let your love rewrite the story. We thank you that you don't just forgive. But Lord, we thank you that you restore, that you don't just cleanse, but that you call us whole. In Christ Jesus' name, amen. To you listening, God says, I have forgiven you. I have cleansed you. I have called you mine. You will not live haunted. You will not live condemned. And you will not live afraid of your own story. You are stepping into a season of peace, a season where the memory no longer torments you, and the mercy finally feels real. You are free and you are forgiven. Family, thank you for sitting in this sacred space today. If you've been haunted by your past, This is your reminder. Grace is still greater. Mercy is still stronger. And forgiveness is still final. And if you are carrying a weight that feels too heavy to hold, please remember that this podcast is not a substitute for professional therapy or pastoral care. Reach out. Get the support you need. You deserve that kind of care. And if you would like to send in a question or share a story with Unfiltered Faith, you can reach us at Joe at Unfiltered Faithpod.com. We would love to hear from you. Your testimonies and your experiences matter. They help others grow, they encourage weary hearts, and they draw people closer to Jesus. Until next time, family, unfiltered faith, God is moving, so stay ready and to God be the glory.