From Shame to Grace: A Powerful Testimony of Forgiveness and Healing After Abortion w/ Elysse Rocha

In this episode of our podcast, I was joined by a very special guest, Elyssa Rocha, who shared her personal story of growing up in a non-Christian home and how her search for meaning influenced her decision to have not one, but two abortions. Elysse shares a unique perspective on this topic and sheds light on the complex emotions she experienced during these times in her life. 

My guest opens up about how not having a strong faith foundation left her feeling alone and lost. When she found herself  pregnant in her early 20s, she believed that having an abortion was the "right" thing to do to help the baby and herself. She speaks about the societal pressure and lack of support she felt during this time, which reinforced her decision to have an abortion.

However, when she found herself pregnant for the second time, things were different. Even though she had not received Christ in her heart yet, she had promised herself she would not have another abortion and found herself feeling the emotional and spiritual weight of this decision. The second time around, she was starting to experience His presence and compassion in her life. This led her to feel the weight of her decision to have a second abortion and the guilt and shame that came with it. When she came to know Christ close to two years ago, she opens up about the internal battle she faced and how she struggled to reconcile her faith with her past decisions.

Elysse shares how her new personal relationship with Christ helped her cope with the immense feelings of shame and guilt from her abortions. She talks about how she learned to forgive herself and receive God's forgiveness, which ultimately brought her healing and restoration.

As Christians, it can be difficult to approach women who are considering abortion. We may feel the need to judge or condemn, but our guest encourages us to instead approach with compassion and understanding. She shares how we can minister to these women in a loving and truthful way, by pointing them to the hope and redemption found in Christ.

In this powerful episode, my guest's vulnerability and transparency shed light on the complex and emotional journey of women facing unplanned pregnancies. Her personal experience also highlights the transformative power of Christ's love and grace in our lives. We hope this episode will inspire and equip our listeners to have meaningful and compassionate conversations with those facing this difficult decision.