After we released a new resource titled “The Top Ten Bible Stories Featuring People with Disabilities” I got a DM from a parent with a great heartfelt question. I can not help but think she is not alone in her question. With her permission I am sharing portions of this conversation. I pray that it will be a help to all who wrestle with similar questions.
If you are interested in this resource referenced, you can download it for free today.
Her question:
“Are there any stories about him showing love to those with disabilities without… changing them to be like everyone else? I still struggle with the fact that he makes everyone with purpose, with value, with love, but then does miracles that change the way they were made. I feel like he’s righting a “wrong,” but I can’t understand Jesus ever making people “wrong” to begin with. Physical healing this side of earth doesn’t always come. I just struggle with this. Any insights that might help me with this? Thank you.”
My response:
“Thanks for reaching out. I can understand the feelings you have and am sure that you are not alone. This can be a difficult topic to struggle through for anyone, but especially when you have a loved one with disabilities and at times lack of answers.
First, let me say that I do not believe God makes people the “wrong” way. There is great mystery in the ways of God, but I cannot believe that He would do this.
Now, let me try to highlight a few things in the Bible that may be helpful. Sorry if this is a long response. As far as stories of him not healing everyone with a disability that he encounters I like to look at the healing at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-15). Of the hundreds if not thousands of people there Jesus only heals one of them. He could have healed them all, but he only chose one. I often ask myself why only one person? Could it be that Jesus did not consider their disabilities as a bad thing or something that needed fixing?
I also like the through-the-roof story (Mark 2:1-12) to further that thought. Jesus clearly does not see the paralytic on the mat as someone who needs physical healing (“fixing”) for his disability. The healing he gives is of the heart and the sin problem. The only reason he later gives him the ability to walk in a secondary healing is because the religious leaders argued with him about his identity. It was not for the benefit of the paralytic, but rather for those who were there. This shows me that Jesus does not see physical disabilities as a “problem” that needs to be fixed.
Next let’s look at the story of Jacob wrestling with God. God physically disables Jacob in the wrestling match. He does this to cause him to always remember and rely on God. It isn’t until after Jacob was disabled that God decided to bless him and allow him to fulfill his calling. I resonate with the fact that true blessing follows disability for Jacob and not the other way around. This story especially helps me considering my newfound physical disability following all my recent surgeries.
Another great story is that of Moses. Moses has a severe speech impediment. God does not heal him. In fact, God tells Moses He made him that way on purpose. There is purpose in disability. God wanted to speak through him and his speech impediment. It was Moses who denied God this opportunity. This makes me wonder how often we deny God opportunities because of the insecurities around our disabilities?
Another great story of someone who was not healed is Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 4:4; 9:1-13). He has a physical disability and King David (the Old Testament picture of Jesus) goes out of his way to bring Mephibosheth to be in his presence and have a seat around the King’s table with his family. The Bible repeatedly mentions that Mephibosheth was disabled and yet found a place of belonging and worth with the King.
There are many more things we could probably go through but these are worth highlighting. Again, there is great mystery in the ways of God. Most of which we will never unravel this side of heaven. At times that can be frustrating other times it can be fascinating. That is where faith comes in. We trust in what we cannot see or understand. I hope this has helped some and not complicated anything.”
Her reply:
“THANK YOU SO MUCH for these examples and for taking the time to write such a thorough response. God has gifted you in such great ways and I thank you for sharing your (His) wisdom. These are the kind of answers I was looking for but felt blocked in finding myself. I so appreciate you! I look forward to rereading these examples with this new perspective. I love the way the Bible continues to teach and encourage even when life seems to throw hurdles our way. Thank you again for your time!”
If you have ever wrestled with similar questions, I pray that reading a portion of this conversation was helpful. I by no means claim to have all the answers. The older I get the more questions I tend to have myself. It is in the wandering that we trust God to fill in the gaps until the day we meet Him.
