I want to share with you today a subject I know very well – abortion.  I’ll share what I’ve come to know after working in the abortion industry and how fear and exploitation are at the core of their narrative.

FEAR

What thoughts or experiences come to mind when you hear that word? National health authorities estimate that 40 million adults, aged 18 and over are afflicted with some degree of anxiety disorder.

Anxiety is a manifestation of fear. It can be a product of previous experience trauma, whether emotional, mental, environmental or physical. If we fail to address our trauma, we may very well be exploited and manipulated by fear which in turn controls our mind or behavior.

Webster defines fear as an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger; having anxious concern or reason for alarm.

I have been exploited this way by abortion from the time I was in my mother’s womb.

But fear can also be defined as a profound reverence for God, which offers wisdom to believers and propels them towards acts that honor and please him. A two-sided coin, right?

Fear can lead us to hide in cowardice or to acts great of courage depending on the situation and a person’s beliefs. Either way, fear is a power that requires understanding.

FEAR CAN LEAD TO EXPLOITATION

To exploit means “an unjust or improper use of another person for one’s own profit or advantage – one is benefited at the expense of the other.”

Fear is often used to manipulate others toward an exploiter’s desired end. It is a powerful emotion which all humans experience as part of our nature. The abortion industry, however, taps into fears and insecurities to exploit others.

I have been exploited this way by abortion from the time I was in my mother’s womb.  She believed the lie that having just been widowed with four children, her life would go well to abort me, her fifth child.  Fear and desperation drove her actions.  Fortunately for her, and for me, the abortion attempt failed.

The abortion industry utilizes these existing fears to achieve their aims.

I was later manipulated as a 19-year-old pregnant college student, fearful and confused. This time, my parents worked the situation based on their own fears (not wanting an unwed pregnant teenage daughter) and arranged for my abortion. A few years later, as a 25-year-old woman, I was dominated by my boyfriend when he let fear direct him and promoted abortion because it “wasn’t the right time.”

And then, I wore the garment of abuse and trauma as I entered the abortion industry as a clinic worker, comforting other women as they were exploited in the same way I was.  When asked by a patient if the abortion procedure was “killing” she was lied to in order that she would not change her mind.

Manipulation and exploitation are core tenants to the lucrative abortion business.  It is effective when people are ignorant and unaware of the truth.

Let’s examine how the abortion industry handles the uncertainty and fear women commonly experience when faced with an unplanned pregnancy.

First, let’s consider the kinds of thoughts that go through a woman’s mind when considering abortion.

• It’s just not a “good time” to have a baby.
• I can’t afford a baby.
• I’m still in school.
• I’m not sure if the father will support me or even stay with me.
• I don’t want to be a single mom.
• My parents will “kill” me.

After many years of being ignorant of the truth and passively being exploited by abortion, I finally had the strength to put an end to it.

Behind these thoughts lie the fears of life changing interruptions, of where the money will come from, of lost educational goals, doubt about whether the father even loves me, worry about not having enough support and going it alone without parental support.

The abortion industry utilizes these existing fears to achieve their aims. They tell women that the child must be “planned,” or else it will be “unwanted.” Unborn babies are described as “pregnancy contents,” and abortion is spoken of as a “safe, legal procedure.” Women are told it’s “your body and your choice – you don’t want to ruin your future.”

In essence a woman is being accused of not really loving her “unplanned pregnancy.” She is encouraged to dismiss the fact that the baby has form, a heartbeat, brainwaves and a unique DNA sequence. The physical and psychological consequences of abortion are minimized, and the baby is construed as an extension of the mother’s body, therefore the baby has no rights.

I can know from experience the abortion industry is not truthful about the reality of the unborn child, the risks associated with abortion, nor the consequences, short and long term, that are well documented.  They merely prey on insecurities, vulnerabilities and fears for their own profit.

After many years of being ignorant of the truth and passively being exploited by abortion, I finally had the strength to put an end to it. Four months after giving birth to my son, I surrendered my life to Christ.

I have been brought from the dark lonely place of being manipulated by my needs, fears and insecurities to the light of Christ who gives strength and courage to confront and face fears. I now trust with confidence that His love will guide, heal and help me.

I have found it to be true that the “fear” of God is the beginning of wisdom. This is a reverent, healthy and protective fear – the kind that cautions one not to get too close to the fire because it will burn. That is wisdom.

Awareness is the key. I will cover that journey in my next article – namely, how God lovingly showed me his creative intent, and what he did through me with the knowledge and understanding I acquired.

The views expressed here are those of the author.

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