Her Choice to Heal: Finding Spiritual and Emotional Peace After Abortion

by Sydna Masse

What do 33% of American women have in common? They've experienced abortion.

You might be one of these women. Or maybe it's your friend, sister, coworker, or the woman sitting next to you at church. Regardless, post-abortive women are in pain, and at some point, most will experience post-abortion syndrome (PAS), a form of post traumatic stress disorder. But they may never talk about it. Many are silent because they are filled with shame, grief and guilt, afraid of judgment and condemnation. Few realize that peace is attainable through Christ's mourning process and the knowledge that because of His grace, they will reunite with their lost loved ones in Heaven.

Her Choice to Heal is designed to help women find a way to God's healing after this devastating choice. Written by a post-abortive woman, it includes testimonies of strength, healing and hope. Sydna compassionately leads you on the difficult journey through denial, anger, and grief, to forgiveness, redemption, and letting go. Her Choice to Heal offers a roadmap to healing - practical suggestions, resources for help, space to journal, with the encouragement and hope found in Christ alone.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Self Help

145 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Lauren Mccarthy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am a pro-choice feminist and I frequently read books on women's issues because I would someday like to write my own. This book is ANTI-CHOICE and I would not recommend it to anyone. When I picked up this book I hadn't realized that it was a religion focused book, so I was shocked at how a post-abortive woman could make so many assumptions about other women's feelings and situations. Right in the beginning of the book Syna Masse makes the assumption that every woman who has had an abortion or will have one will eventually regret their decision. It soon becomes clear that since she regretted her decision, she believes that every woman will and her answer to "healing" is to admit that abortion is a sin, you must ask for forgiveness, and become pro-life. In her eyes, becoming pro-choice is a sin. She doesn't discuss women who don't regret their choice and maintains that confessing to God that you have sinned is the only way to redemption. She twist bible verses into fitting her every argument. As a feminist, I was disgusted to hear a woman who has had an abortion say that the only way to think about the choice is as a "sin." If any post-abortive woman didn't feel guilty about her abortion before reading this book, she probably will afterward or become extremely upset with the author about her intolerant beliefs. I understand that there are two sides to the abortion debate, but the author is clearly believes that pro-choice women are "in the wrong" and are not worthy of healing unless they convert to the pro-life line of thought.

[Joanna Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this "for work" but that's no reason to think it's not useful in many areas. I am not post-abortive myself, but about one third of American women are. The need for forgiveness, healing, openness, trust, time, honesty, and Love, Love, Love is so clear. This book, while aimed at post-abortive women themselves, has much to say that I benefited from. I learned more about how to be sensitive, how to talk about sin, how to talk about forgiveness, how to talk about and forgive others in my life.

This book is not "deep" theology, but it is deep waters. We should all hope to learn how to tread with love.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is real, practical and uplifting. The author takes a subject we don't like to talk about and puts it into perspective. She shares her heart with us, she is vulnerable with us and we can feel her pain and THEN her redemption. It has brought healing to many folks throughout the years and is just as useful today as it was when it first written. We all know someone who could use this book or maybe we need it ourselves. Please read & share this book! It will make a difference.....

[J.E.B. Spredemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent resource and provides practical help for those who have been through an abortion, have been involved in one, or want to help someone who has. Authored by two women who have experienced abortion themselves, they can sympathize.

Her Choice to Heal, along with the author's website, provided invaluable research for my book, 'An Unforgivable Secret'.

I recommend this book to all who are even remotely involved with the pro-life movement, but most importantly for those who are dealing with the aftermath of abortion. God loves you and wants to bring healing to your heart and life.

[Margaret Fraleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for someone who has or is thinking of having
an abortion. The author helps the reader walk through the pain and built of their decision. As I read the book, it would also help anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe this book would be a wonderful tool for those woman trying to reconcile their choice to have an abortion and the grace of Jesus.

[Caristy Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book that shares about what happens to some post abortion & the love that Christians can show. Not condemning the person but loving on them & showing God's love!

[Allie Gale · Rating 1 out of 5]

Required work reading: quick read. Interesting insight. No clinical advice or research. Probably would not recommend.

[Kirsten Conger · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very Judgmental!

This book has nothing to offer but judgment and shame...anti-choice propaganda not healing in any way...the author should be ashamed.

[C · Rating 1 out of 5]

Literally admits the point is just to convert people to their religion.

[Denise Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative with the aftermath of abortion and discussed how post abortion syndrome and post traumatic stress disorder are alike.author was transparent with her testimony and I liked how she emphasized that Gos still loves people that had abortions. It discussed overcoming denial that you killed a blob of tissue but an actual human being and encouraged you to mourn that loss to begin healing process, such as giving child a name

[Magali Luengas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a psychotherapist trying to get a better idea of the experience a woman can have regarding abortion and post abortion. My heart was moved. It's a heartfelt guide with a lot of life and hope in its pages for those who have lost a child through abortion and anyone who wants to walk alongside them. I highly recommend it.

[MJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very encouraging for anyone experiencing the regret of an abortion.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Powerful book. So thankful we overcome by the Blood of the Lamb & the word of our testimony.

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Choice to Heal is directed at people suffering post-abortive emotional and spiritual upheaval. The author, Sydna Masse, tells her own story of how she was pushed to have an abortion by her own mother and her boyfriend. At the time, she believed abortion was her only choice, and the best choice.

She describes the different stages of grief: denial, guilt, shame, anger, sadness, and graciously offers insight and encouragement to those women who find themselves living a life of deception. She is not condemning, never gets into the political arena, but merely addresses the profound loss felt by post-abortive women. She outlines the process of forgiveness of oneself, and others who may have contributed to the abortion. She outlines steps for moving on with your life to best make positive changes in spite of past mistakes.

I am not one of the 30% of women who have had an abortion by the age of 40, but I appreciate so much this gentle book. It helps me see the situation of an abortion through the eyes of one who endured it. Compassion is not a word one usually associates with an abortion debate, yet Sydna offers plenty. This book inspired me to reach out to women with an approachable, yet uncondemning spirit.

I feel this book would also help a man who is suffering grief as the result of his loss in an abortion. Many people think abortion decisions should be left to the woman and her doctor, but the author points out that many more people sustain a significant loss in their life as well with every abortion: the baby's father, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles are all profoundly affected.

[Jocelynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book/workbook, with testimony from both authors, and scripture to heal the wounds and grief that abortion causes. The Lord is faithful and just to forgive, if we confess our sins to him. I pray more can read this book and find the healing, and salvation, that is only available in Christ Jesus.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this at the recomendation of my parish priest with work I was doing at my parish this past spring. Besides abortive women, this helps anyone in the grieving process of any loss. I discovered this going through the steps of healing as I read this book on the death of a family member.