A woman facing an unplanned pregnancy goes through a lot of emotions –
helplessness, unworthiness, depression, anger, self-doubt, and above all guilt.
As you battle with all these emotions, you must also deal with your changing
body and hormones including the life that is growing inside you with every
passing day. What must you do with the baby? Do you have the inner strength to
place your baby for adoption? Is it even right to make your baby someone
else's responsibility? What if the adoptive family doesn't treat your baby
right? In addition, you may be surrounded by friends from school or college who
will offer a lot of unsolicited advice. They may encourage you to keep your
baby because you are its 'real' mother. The first thing you need to do is
forgive yourself. When you repent and confess the ungodly mistakes of your
past, God is quick to forgive. Have you really forgiven yourself for the
circumstance you are in now?
Secondly, you must be willing to shut out all the voices
screaming at you, including your own feelings and emotions. Your friends may
not be the best people to help you choose as they are not emotionally invested
in your situation. Instead, open your heart to God and ask Him to show you what
He wants you to do with the baby. God's Word offers health to a person's entire
flesh (Proverbs 4:22) and that includes your mind and emotions as well. As you
seek His guidance and strength, allow yourself to consider where you are in
your life. Are you ready to be a single mother? Do you have the necessary
mental, physical, educational, and financial resources to provide the life that
your baby deserves? If not, adoption is the best way to ensure that your baby
grows up in a loving and secure family. Here's a great resource that will help
you reach a godly decision concerning your baby: www.LifetimeAdoption.com. You can
also speak to other birth mothers who can help you deal with your pregnancy.
Adoptive families are 'real' families too. There are many
Christian couples who have adopted children into their own fold and treat them
as their own. They provide the necessary love, faith, hope, and values your
baby will need as he or she grows up to face the world. Consider it as a
God-given choice to turn your mistake into a miracle and a blessing.
