Disability Thread - God Uses Our Weakness to Show His Strength and Power.

T

TransformedinChrist

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I figured this would be a great thread to share how God uses our disabilities as His strength and power.

For me eventhough I cannot walk - there is no limit to how God brings people in my path. Christians often pray that I am healed - which would be incredible but for me not being able to walk offers something deeper. An incredible dependency on God. How often Jesus performed miracles and healed [no one came back to follow Him]. My flesh is weak - I am humbled each and every day that God would grace me another day and use me as a vessel despite of disabilities I have. I have times I miss having my horse and riding, rock climbing, training service dogs, traveling to do photography [business]. Eventhough I can't hold my camera anymore, or train dogs or ride horses. I have invested in the unseen - which is eternal. He uses my disabilities to keep me close and draw others [and provides opportunities to share Christ with them and pray for them].

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. . ” 2 Corinthians 4:18
 
Yes everyone has different gifts and different drawbacks. Some physical others mental. Even those who cruelly refer to as the village idiot have their story to tell. If we don't have the patience to listen to them we could miss something very interesting, even important.

Some years ago I was walking through a street carnival. A lady was selling card that she had painted using her toes to guide the paint brush. All the money she made from these greeting cards was sent to Chernobyl and used to bring a plate full of children to England for a holiday. She did that each year.
She was an incredibly interesting lady as well as having a heart full of love.
Blessings
 
TransformedinChrist said:
I figured this would be a great thread to share how God uses our disabilities as His strength and power.

For me eventhough I cannot walk - there is no limit to how God brings people in my path. Christians often pray that I am healed - which would be incredible but for me not being able to walk offers something deeper. An incredible dependency on God. How often Jesus performed miracles and healed [no one came back to follow Him]. My flesh is weak - I am humbled each and every day that God would grace me another day and use me as a vessel despite of disabilities I have. I have times I miss having my horse and riding, rock climbing, training service dogs, traveling to do photography [business]. Eventhough I can't hold my camera anymore, or train dogs or ride horses. I have invested in the unseen - which is eternal. He uses my disabilities to keep me close and draw others [and provides opportunities to share Christ with them and pray for them].

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. . ” 2 Corinthians 4:18
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Brilliant thread.

A few things that come to mind:

I went to a school for children with disabilities. It was a difficult experience because my disability is high functioning so people don't easily see it. I felt like a fish out of water. It was hard but very deeply transformative to be around people whose disabilities were far far more serious. I knew someone with progeria. He was my best friend there. He was an artist. He reached his 30th birthday making him one of the oldest people in the world with this condition.

Long after that, I also had the privilege to know two amazing children of God who are both paralympic athletes. Both have cerebral palsy. My disabilities is similar but not as severe. Both are incredibly inspirational people who actively use their athletic achievements as a tool to spread the gospel.

Then I think of Nick Vuijicic. A man born with no arms or legs. When I am tempted to complain too much I look at videos about him. He has done more with his life than many able bodied people I have known.

The thing that has dawned on me in thinking about all this is the whole question of healing and wholeness. About the assumptions one can make about what is 'normal' or 'able.' Everyone has disabilities in a sense. Because there is always something one person can do that another person cannot. In out culture, I think there is an assumption that being physically whole, (having a body that has all the necessary parts and everything working perfectly), is 'normal' and should be what everyone aims for. But the truth is that a person is still valuable and still has a purpose even if they are never like that. I.e God doesn't necessarily need that person to be normal' in order to use them. That's not to say a person shouldn't pray and believe for healing or take steps if that is what they want to do. It just means that we must not assume that the best thing for them is to function in the same way other people do.

I say this because a lot of people come to me asking why I don't do xy or z or implying that I have a lack of faith. But the truth us that I don't see my disability as a problem anymore and in fact I think it strengthens rather than weakens my faith because like you said, it means I have a deeper need to trust Him. I am perfectly positioned as I am to do what I believe He has called me to do. I can glorify him with what I have and can do. And that's all that really matters.

:cool:
 
Henry_iain said:
Brilliant thread.

A few things that come to mind:

I went to a school for children with disabilities. It was a difficult experience because my disability is high functioning so people don't easily see it. I felt like a fish out of water. It was hard but very deeply transformative to be around people whose disabilities were far far more serious. I knew someone with progeria. He was my best friend there. He was an artist. He reached his 30th birthday making him one of the oldest people in the world with this condition.

Long after that, I also had the privilege to know two amazing children of God who are both paralympic athletes. Both have cerebral palsy. My disabilities is similar but not as severe. Both are incredibly inspirational people who actively use their athletic achievements as a tool to spread the gospel.

Then I think of Nick Vuijicic. A man born with no arms or legs. When I am tempted to complain too much I look at videos about him. He has done more with his life than many able bodied people I have known.

The thing that has dawned on me in thinking about all this is the whole question of healing and wholeness. About the assumptions one can make about what is 'normal' or 'able.' Everyone has disabilities in a sense. Because there is always something one person can do that another person cannot. In out culture, I think there is an assumption that being physically whole, (having a body that has all the necessary parts and everything working perfectly), is 'normal' and should be what everyone aims for. But the truth is that a person is still valuable and still has a purpose even if they are never like that. I.e God doesn't necessarily need that person to be normal' in order to use them. That's not to say a person shouldn't pray and believe for healing or take steps if that is what they want to do. It just means that we must not assume that the best thing for them is to function in the same way other people do.

I say this because a lot of people come to me asking why I don't do xy or z or implying that I have a lack of faith. But the truth us that I don't see my disability as a problem anymore and in fact I think it strengthens rather than weakens my faith because like you said, it means I have a deeper need to trust Him. I am perfectly positioned as I am to do what I believe He has called me to do. I can glorify him with what I have and can do. And that's all that really matters.

:cool:
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I wish I could love this post 100x times! ❤️ 💙 💜 💖 💗 💘 I am right with you Brother Henry_iain! Thank YOU for sharing and being apart of CFS.
 
TransformedinChrist said:
If anyone wants to listen
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No this wasn't him.

I cant find the video.

I cant remember his name either.

But he was playing the drums I think. The kids in school were crying in the audience.

He never even spoke. It was incredible.

Ill try and dig it out.

EDIT: Yes I think this could actually be him

Apparently he does play the drums😊
 
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You just never know how the testimony of others will affect one's perspective, through a change of heart.
There are many ailments, diseases, and disabilities in this world which include physical, mental, emotional, and financial issues.
I have ankylosing spondylitis, and the constant pain I am in can be quite mentally depressing and debilitating.
It is in the darkness of my own mind where I ask the Lord to heal me the most, for our sin nature starts in our thoughts.
Trying a more holistic approach to whole body healing, I have been able to find some relief from chronic pain.
In my journey, I discovered that spiritual cleansing, eating healthy, exercise, natural supplements, and western medicine
combined help relieve many of my symptoms. Without the strength of our Father, in the name of His Son Jesus Christ,
I am unable to achieve any progress. HE gives me the ambition to keep trying. For me that basic ambition to continue,
can become more of a struggle than the chronic pain itself. It is because I have no right to complain, no right to feel so helpless,
no right to disconnect from the world, when clearly others have many more issues to face minute by minute than I could comprehend.
Yet, my struggle is as real to me as what anyone else whom faces any type of disabling condition. Just because I appear whole,
I appear to be well, I appear to be living a "normal" life, doesnt mean I am without the salvation of Christ.
HE glues my broken pieces back together. Amen.

Thank you for this thread, and for everyone who shared from the heart.
 
TransformedinChrist said:
If anyone wants to listen
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In 2009 I attended a Baptist Convention in Pasadena, CA and Nick Vujicic did a moving presentation, not as intense as the video but he gave a gentle spirited testimony. At the end there was a line of people going up to speak with Nick. Many held him and cried.

Thank you for sharing this topic and the video, TiC.

God bless you, sister, and everything you do for the Lord.
 
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