At 21, Bethel found herself pregnant during an engagement that once felt secure — and faced a decision that would change the course of her life. What seemed like a clear future quickly grew complicated, as pressure mounted to move forward with marriage.

Though continuing with the wedding seemed like the “right” solution, she felt a deep unrest and chose to walk away, trusting that obedience would lead to something better.

Raised in faith, but felt unseen

Born and raised in Nigeria, Bethel grew up in a Christian home with both parents and four siblings. Faith was a consistent part of her upbringing, with daily devotions and a foundation rooted in God.

But even in that environment, she struggled with self-worth.

“I’d always feel like I was not loved,” she says. “I don’t know why. I started wanting to be loved by other people because of how I looked at myself [as] worthless.”

As the third child, she began to compare herself to her siblings, believing she was less valued. That feeling stayed with her — and over time, it shaped how she saw herself.

Searching for validation

As a teen, Bethel began looking for love and affirmation in relationships to fill that void. By 15, she entered into relationships while still in school. What seemed casual on the surface was rooted in a deeper need — to feel chosen, valued and secure.

That pattern continued into college. During this time, her faith remained present but inconsistent.

“During that time of my life, I can’t say I really knew God for who He is,” she recalls. “My relationship with God was just on and off. It was based on routine.”

A relationship that changed after pregnancy

In her third year of college, Bethel became more intentional about her faith and decided to step away from dating to focus on healing. But after graduation, loneliness returned.

She met someone new and chose to pursue the relationship despite feeling uneasy.

“Because I wanted to move on and I was feeling lonely, I agreed to date that person even though there was something in me that lost peace,” Bethel says. “I was not at peace with the idea. But because I told my parents and they prayed about him, I [went on] with him.”

The relationship moved quickly. He proposed, she accepted, and she soon found herself pregnant. 

She shared with her fiancé that abortion was not an option for her due to her faith and pro-life beliefs. In response, he suggested they get married, and she agreed. Bethel says her family was initially shocked, but remained supportive and did not suggest abortion.

Shortly into her pregnancy, everything shifted. Though marriage seemed like the expected next step, Bethel began to sense something was off. 

Through a series of confirmations, including a dream of her own, she felt led to walk away. She says her fiancé’s behavior soon began to change, which prompted her to leave.

“God had a way of separating us because it was not His will for my life,” she says.

Walking through shame, but not alone

After the relationship ended, Bethel found herself facing pregnancy alone.

“I was very, very ashamed,” Bethel says. “I could not even go to church.”

She returned home to her family, who became her primary support system.

“My parents and siblings stood by me,” she says. “They supported me, encouraged me and helped me carry the weight of that difficult time.”

Though she was out of work during her pregnancy, she experienced provision in unexpected ways.

“Even without a steady income, my needs were met,” she says.

She says she also found encouragement through her pastor and others to move forward when she felt weak.

“I was reminded that I was still loved, that my life still had purpose, and that I had not lost what God had placed inside me,” Bethel says.

Choosing to rebuild

Bethel chose life and gave birth to her daughter.

“I accepted responsibility and made the decision to rebuild my life from the ground up,” she says. “I had to confront my choices honestly and learn from them.”

Today, she lives with her family and works as a teacher at the high school she once attended. Her daughter is now 19 months old.

“My life is not perfect, but it is steady,” Bethel says. “I am raising my child with love and intention.”

Looking ahead with purpose

At 23 years old, Bethel now hopes to pursue a master’s degree and eventually start a ministry for young women — especially those facing unplanned pregnancies or feelings of rejection.

“I want to be a voice of hope to them,” she says.

Bethel says she hopes to become a mother who can support her daughter spiritually, emotionally and physically, while setting an example that helps her avoid repeating the same mistakes she made. 

Alongside that, she wants to encourage other women not to rush into relationships out of fear or loneliness, but instead to pay attention to peace, consistency and alignment with their values.

Looking back, she believes God preserved her from a situation that could have led to deeper harm, even though she did not fully understand it at the time.

“I am no longer defined by where I fell, but by how I chose to rise,” Bethel says. “What I was preserved from is greater than what I lost. What is being built in me now will outlast this season. This is not the end of my story – it is the foundation of it.” 

Bethel’s encouragement to those facing an unplanned pregnancy:

“It always gets better. God gave you that baby for you to take care of. He has [a] plan for that baby. It is God that gave you that child, and it is God that will take care of that child. There is always hope. Abortion is not the solution. You do not even know the kind of child that child would turn out to be in the future … God is always reaching out to you, and He will always reach out to you regardless of what you have done. He leaves the 99 to look for that one. No matter who it [is].”

Written by Melina Nicole.

* A stock photo was used to protect Bethel’s privacy.