Faith Helps

Whether your parents offer loving support or are totally furious over your condition, one fact remains: There is Someone who will stand by you and see you through the crisis pregnancy. And ever after, too.

Like most pregnant teenagers, you probably wonder, "Why, of all people, did this have to happen to me?" Three quotations from the book Apples of Gold may specifically apply to your situation:

  • The diamond cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.
  • God never makes us conscious of our weaknesses except to give us His strength.
  • The difference between stumbling blocks and stepping stones is the way a man uses them. 1

Stumbling block or stepping stone?

Your choice to give another human being a chance at life is in keeping with God's plan. You might believe your pregnancy is a stumbling block. But God desires to turn your experience into a stepping stone toward Him.

Did you know that Psalm 139 applies to both you and your baby?

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit them together in my mother's womb. Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous and how well I know it. You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion! You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in Your Book! (Psalm 139: 13-16).

Did you discover the significant words? He saw us before we were even born! Mind-boggling, isn't it? God is keenly aware of our situation. He isn't just standing around watching it happen!

Many times we can't understand why certain things take place in our lives. We call them stumbling blocks. Cringing in the middle of the cyclone, we wonder if God is on vacation. But God needs no rest, even from all our doubts. He promises He will be right in the cyclone with us. "I am with you always, even to the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20). From the moment you chose to carry your baby full-term, God chose to bless you because of your refusal to tamper with someone else's life.

However, it's unrealistic to think there won't be any pain, sorrow or difficulty involved. It is best to look at the situation as a learning experience, a step toward faith, maturity and emerging as a better person.

This is what a pregnant teen named Rita had to say:

Going through this pregnancy was the most difficult thing I ever did. But I wouldn't have it any other way, because not only have I experienced the miracle of life, but through reading the Bible, I also met the Creator of life and His Son, whom I've come to accept and love. As I look back, I know it was the love of Jesus that carried me through the last year.

He will carry you

You are never going to be the same person you were before pregnancy. God knows those changes can be scary, and He wants you to know He will travel the road right along with you. His Word, the Bible, promises this: "But even so, you love me! You are holding my right hand! You will keep on guiding me all my life with your wisdom and counsel" (Psalm 73:23,24).

If you are God's daughter, the words "but even so" cover any sins, sexual or otherwise, you may commit. When you are under His authority, God still loves you, no matter what you do.

God states in Psalm 32:8, "I will instruct you ... and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress." This means He will watch over, care for and love you through the progression of your pregnancy, and ever afterward.

Here is another comforting promise: "Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with My victorious right hand" (Isaiah 41:10). God wants you to know that He is your biggest supporter.

Take hold of Him

If you would like to be on God's team, but don't know how to make Him captain of your life, it's easy. Believe that He sent His Son Jesus to pay for your sins once and for all on Calvary's cross. Read His Word. It's God's love letter to the world, and all the magnificent promises are written to you.

Becoming a Christian is so simple that many people fall over the concept. They think that being a good person or doing nice things will get them into heaven. But the only way to take hold of Him is to confess your sins (all of us are sinners), then believe and accept Jesus Christ, God's perfect gift.

"Jesus told him, `I am the Way yes, and the Truth and the Life. No one can get to the Father except by means of me'" (John 14:6). As you believe and receive, you assure yourself of a permanent home in heaven. The problems you face now and the life you live on earth are temporary. Eternity is forever. You can, if you choose, spend it with God.

Here's an example of the kind of prayer you might pray if you want to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior: 2

Lord, I bring you my sinful nature as you've revealed it to me. I know I don't have anything valuable to offer except myself and my love. I can't earn your forgiveness, but you've offered it as a free gift from your Son, Jesus Christ. I accept your control of my life, and intend to serve you, obey you and follow you from this moment forward. You have my past, my present, my future, my family, my child, my money and my time. Nothing will I withhold. Thank you for loving me and forgiving me and making me your own. Amen.

1 Jo Petty, ed., Apples of Gold (Norwalk, CT: C.R. Gibson Co., 1962).
2 Adapted from the booklet "The Plan of Salvation" by James Dobson, Ph.D.

Background Information

Questions and Answers

Stories

If you've been through a experience related to this topic, we invite you to share your story with others.
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Other Things to Consider

RelationshipsBlended Families, Parents and Adult Children

TransitionsPreparing for Adolescence, Empty Nest