God Moments in the Clinic

Let’s face it: as a ministry whose vision is a world where “individuals are empowered to experience the fullness of God’s plan for healthy sexual relations,” we will always be counterculture. But that doesn’t stop us from sharing God’s plan because we know it’s the right one – and the only plan that protects hearts and bodies from harmful effects of our current culture’s view on sexuality.

Sometimes, working in this environment can be disheartening. That’s where Nurse Barb was during a recent appointment with a very young woman who visited our clinic for sexually transmitted disease testing.  It was her second visit in less than a year. Her history revealed over 20 sexual partners. When the patient went to the bathroom, Barb voiced her heaviness to the student nurse she was training that day. “I’m not sure how much of a dent we will make today.”  

Barb continued with the appointment. As the patient prepared to leave, Barb asked, “Do you have any other questions for me today?”

The patient said, “Well, yes. What is the normal amount of sex for someone my age? I don’t really know. I’m having all this sex, but I just don’t know if this is right.”
Barb seized the “God Moment” she was gifted with.

“Well, when I think about that question, I think about the risks you are taking every time you have sex. The decisions you are making today can negatively impact your future. I just want the women in our community to be aware of their risks, and I don’t want to scare you.

“But the consequences of contracting an STI can have serious implications for you. A pelvic inflammatory disease could impact your ability to have a baby in the future. What if you got gonorrhea or syphilis, which is actually on the rise here? If you got herpes or HIV, those are incurable, and you’d have to tell all your future partners that you have those conditions. Would that change your ability to get married and have children in the future?  So those are the things I think about when you ask what is the right number of sexual partners,” Barb concluded.

The patient broke down in tears, sharing for the first time, “My first sexual relationship was with someone who manipulated and abused me.”

Now, Barb could address the root problem: the guilt and shame impacting her ability to set clear boundaries and altering her decision-making process. They discussed resources for help, and Barb encouraged her to think about what she really wanted in life: a loving, trusting relationship.
She suggested the patient think about this: what if she allowed herself to date without sex and imagine how she might feel about that? Would this help her focus on her goals for the future?

She suggested the patient think about this: what if she allowed herself to date without sex and imagine how she might feel about that? Would this help her focus on her goals for the future?

The patient thanked Barb for sharing and talking with her. “I never feel judged here, and I’m so grateful for the information. I need to take a step back and begin to think differently about sex. You’ve given me a lot to think about today.”  

Please join is praying for the many women who come to us with hurt, shame, and guilt from their past from past mistakes and abuse. Pray that they experience the true love that Jesus offers us: love that heals and doesn’t maim, love that seeks the best for others, and is not self-seeking.