Do you have a disability?

I bet you might.  They come in all shapes and sizes.

Maybe your eyesight has failed you.  Maybe you have crippling depression.  Or Autism.

Maybe you were born with only one hand.  Maybe you need a new hip.  Maybe you have trouble reading or learning.

Maybe you have food allergies.  Maybe you have trouble remembering names. Maybe you can’t see the color blue.

Maybe you’re confined to bed.

The list goes on and on.

Here’s a definition:  A disability is “the consequence of an impairment that may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental, or some combination of these.” (wikipedia)

So, if you took an inventory of your disabilities, how many would you have?

Well…

Consider yourself blessed if your disabilities are small enough so as not to infringe too much on your day-to-day life. ALSO, consider yourself blessed if your disabilities are a daily trial, making life a struggle to endure.

In other words: No matter the level of challenge you face, consider yourself blessed.

WHY?

Because God helps us wrestle with our disability by giving us this ability : Faith.

The capacity for faith lies within every human heart.

Faith is our ability to communicate with God.

With faith, we can see things otherwise invisible. (Hebrews 11:1).  Through faith, we can move mountains. (Matthew 17:20)
Because of faith, Paul reminds us, “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)

This ability is present in you, and in me.  And no disability can diminish it.
No impairment, whether “physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, or developmental” can destroy it, as long as you’re willing to use it.

It’s true that sometimes our disabilities weaken our resolve, but this faith gets stronger with use.

So use it well. And often.

When there is hope in the world, faith is there to perceive it.
Where there are challenges, faith strengthens resolve.
Where there is pain and loss, faith ushers in The Divine Presence.

Faith doesn’t take away our infirmities.  It reminds us that God can work through them.

Let me make it plain:

Disability?  A part of life.
This Ability? The Heart of life.

Have a faithful week,

Mitch