After Abortion... The Journey of Self-Respect

by Debra Elliott
(Birmingham AL USA)

In my previous column I wrote about the journey of self-value and one of the essential components of self-value is self-respect.

My journey of self-respect had been the most difficult journey I went through after my abortion and I hope my words can help you learn to respect yourself.

Without respecting yourself you cannot move forward in the healing and forgiveness process.

(Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.) Jude 1:2 NIV

Self-respect includes showing yourself mercy. Mercy does not come natural to most of us and it's even harder to justify after an abortion. After my abortion I criticized my every thought or action. I did not act with mercy toward myself.

(Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.) Lamentations 3:22 NIV

If the Lord can show mercy in all we have done, then we should not have any laments toward ourselves.

Self-respect also includes peace. Finding peace is like trying to fill a void deep within yourself. You will feel empty until you have peace of mind and peace within your soul. The peace you need to seek has already been laid out for you in John 14:27 (Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.)

The Lord wants you to have inner peace. Without that peace you can never respect yourself.

Finally for you to have self-respect you have to have love for yourself. Love is the key element in self-respect without it you cannot have mercy or peace.

(I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.) Psalm 31:7 NIV

God has already seen your affliction and knows the anguish of your soul and His love for you never ceases, nor should your love for yourself.

In closing I want to remind you self-respect is like a jigsaw puzzle. You have to have all the pieces to complete the puzzle. Without love there is no peace and without peace there is no mercy and without all three you cannot have self-respect for yourself.

In my next column I am going to take you on the journey of self-confidence. Each journey you have gone through has a deeper purpose than we can see. Each layer of the journey after abortion takes on different meanings for each of us, but one common thread that each one has is the road that leads to self-confidence.

I look forward to sharing my thoughts and my journey of self-confidence with you next month. I also look forward to your thoughts and bible verses each month.


Be blessed,
Debra










© 2009 Debra Elliott