“I knew better. So why did I still do it? And now… can God ever forgive me?”
This is one of the most common questions I hear from women who reach out to me.
And maybe you’re wondering the same thing.
You were raised in church.
You had a relationship with God.
Maybe you were even actively serving, worshipping, or praying.
So when you made the decision to have an abortion… it wasn’t out of ignorance. It was out of fear. Pressure. Panic. Shame.
But here’s what I want you to know right now, friend:
Yes, God can still forgive you.
He doesn’t withhold mercy from you just because you “should have known better.” And today’s episode is for every Christian woman who feels disqualified from grace because of her abortion.
My Story: I Was a Christian Too
When I made the decision to have my abortion, I wasn’t walking closely with Christ… but I absolutely knew it was wrong.
I can still remember learning about abortion back in second grade. I remember the horror and sadness I felt even as a little girl. In high school, I wore pro-life t-shirts and had strong convictions about protecting life in the womb.
So how did I end up choosing abortion?
Fear.
It didn’t happen overnight. It was a slow drift away from intimacy with God. A slow compromise of my values. And by the time I was facing a crisis pregnancy, I didn’t feel close to God. I felt cornered. Ashamed. Afraid of what people would think.
And after the abortion?
I felt like a traitor.
To my values.
To my faith.
To God Himself.
“Other women didn’t know better. But I did. That makes me worse… right?”
Maybe you’ve felt that too.
I’m here to tell you—you are not alone.
In fact, most of the women I work with in my abortion recovery coaching program were Christians at the time of their abortions. And just like me, just like you, they carried deep regret, believing they were now disqualified from God’s forgiveness.
But the truth is: God specializes in restoring people who knew better and still failed.
Let’s look at three examples straight from Scripture…
Biblical Proof That God Forgives Christians Who Sin
1. David — Forgiven After Adultery and Murder
David wasn’t just anybody. He was a worshipper, a warrior, a leader. Scripture describes him as “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14).
But David still messed up—badly.
He committed adultery with Bathsheba and then orchestrated the murder of her husband to cover it up.
And yet… when he confessed his sin with a broken and contrite heart, God forgave him.
“Then David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Nathan replied, ‘The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.’” —2 Samuel 12:13
His prayer of repentance in Psalm 51 is one of the most beautiful pictures of a heart being restored.
Key takeaway: Even those closest to God are capable of sin. But His mercy never runs out.
2. Peter — Forgiven After Denying Jesus
Peter walked side-by-side with Jesus. He saw the miracles. He declared Jesus as the Messiah. He was part of the inner circle.
And yet… in Jesus’ darkest hour, Peter denied Him—not once, but three times (John 18:15–27).
But Jesus didn’t cancel Peter.
After His resurrection, Jesus restored all three of his denials and gave him the charge to shepherd the early church:
“Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep… Follow me.’” —John 21:17, 19
Key takeaway: Your worst failure doesn’t disqualify you from future purpose. Jesus still wants to partner with you.
3. The Prodigal Son — A Parable of God’s Heart
In Luke 15, Jesus tells the story of a son who demands his inheritance early, squanders it in wild living, and ends up feeding pigs in a distant land.
When he finally “comes to his senses,” he returns home expecting rejection. But instead, he’s met with compassion, celebration, and open arms.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion… ‘this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” —Luke 15:20, 24
The father in this story represents God.
And the son? That’s us.
That’s you.
That’s me.
Key takeaway: No matter how far you’ve run, the Father is watching and waiting for your return.
So… Can God Still Forgive You?
Yes.
If He forgave David, Peter, and shared His merciful character through the parable of the prodigal son, He can forgive you too.
But maybe that feels hard to receive right now.
Maybe your heart still feels bruised from the guilt.
Maybe you’re not even sure how to approach God again.
That’s why I created the Abortion Recovery Workshop—a free, safe, Jesus-centered space for women like you to begin the journey of healing and forgiveness.
🎁 Register for the free workshop here: brittanypoppe.com/workshop
You don’t have to carry this weight anymore.
You don’t have to stay stuck in shame.
God’s forgiveness is already available to you—it’s time to receive it.
Final Reflection + Prayer
As we wrap up our time together, I want to invite you to reflect:
Which of these stories do you relate to the most—David, Peter, or the Prodigal Son?
Drop your answer in the Facebook group. I’d love to hear your heart and pray for you personally.
Let’s pray…
Father, thank You for being a God who forgives—even when we “should have known better.” Thank You for showing us in Scripture that no one is beyond redemption. Help every woman reading this feel Your nearness, Your mercy, and Your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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