S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The Lord is God of the physically healthy and the mentally strong, but He is also the God of the physically disabled and the mentally handicapped. He is sovereign over the fragile and feeble as wel...

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September 11 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Dona Albert Armstrong Supporter

For the past fifteen years, I have been a caregiver. My clients all have a primary diagnosis of intellectual disability, and most of them have varying degrees of physical disabilities also. I don't know why God chose to allow these precious people to suffer with disabilities that keeps them from walking or talking or reading, or so many other activities that we all take for granted. And then God showed me that I take too much for granted. He used my clients to teach me about gratitude, patience, perseverance, compassion, determination and faith. Maybe he allows these special ones to suffer here, so that the rest of us can understand how very blessed we are, and learn lessons that we wouldn't otherwise learn. I do know for sure, my clients have done MUCH more for me than I could ever do for them.

March 30 2016 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Bud Zack Supporter

I would like to give my testimony. 14 years ago I had a Social Security trial to determine if my bi-polar condition qualified as a complete disability or not. The answer stunned the Judge, my attorney, and me. The court appointed medical officer declared that I had not 1 disability, but actually 9 different and complete disabilities. By my calculations of probability, this put me in the top 1-1,000th of 1% in the country. Like the apostle Paul said "I brag on my weaknesses, for that is when I am strong."

It has taught me humility. Though I test out rather well, when my conditions kick in, I am neutralized. One minute I can add faster in my head than my PhD. friend can on his calculator. The next, I can't even get out of bed. The Lord knew I needed help with humility, and He provided. Although being humbled is no fun, it is much better than thinking the world revolves around me, so I ultimately rejoice.

It has taught me empathy. I was in the waiting room of an ER department one night. There was only one other person in there, and I could feel his depression. I asked him if that was the case. It was. I listened to his situation, and found that he was not saved, but his brother was and he was thinking about it. I gave him my testimony, and a copy of "More than a Carpenter." By the time his brother arrived, his attitude had changed. The Lord again used my disability to enable.

It has taught me dependence. I know I can not function without Jesus. My conditions have made that clear. But I would not change a thing, because I have witnessed His strength in my weakness. I am now writing a book of Encouragement for my church. You really understand being encouraged when a disability keeps you so discouraged. 

Some how, some way, Jesus can make all things work for the good to those who love Him. 

Rom. 8: 28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

As hard as it may seem to believe, my disabilities are my equipment...

2Tim 3: 17 "so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."


Maranatha

May 28 2016 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

gale bobenhausen Supporter

I too would like to share my testimony. My first son was born with a rare and severe chromosome abnormality known as Trisomy 13, which is considered "incompatible with life". We obtained the diagnosis while I was pregnant and were told he probably wouldn't survive birth or if he did would die within a month. 

God had other things in mind for my beloved Garrett. He lived until the day after his 9th birthday. His life was hard - he was deaf, ultimately blind, profoundly mentally retarded, had 19 surgeries, illnesses too numerous to count, and required around the clock care for his entire life. 

When Garrett was born I was an avowed atheist. I had never been exposed to God and my few encounters with organized religion were not positive. However, the grief and tribulations brought by Garrett's condition ultimately brought me to Christ as I faced the first thing in my life I did not have the power or ability to handle on my own. I came to realize the blessing of Garrett's life, not just to my husband, family and me, but to many others. The impact his life had on others was vast and truly amazing. More than 250 people attended his Celebration of Life and most of them have shared with me the effect his life had on them. 

In addition, several miracles were witnessed by myself and others that had a tremendous effect upon us. The lessons he taught many in the medical profession about the sanctity and worth of all life was profound. 

Of course, over the years I struggled to accept God's will for Garrett and to realize God's immeasurable grace in bringing him into my life. Despite the years of grief (which continue despite the fact he has been dead for 16 years) I have come to trust God's will and the amazing fact that God uses all things for His end. Remember that while you will still experience the grief and sometimes overwhelming pain of our personal situation God will be with you and lead you through the darkness into His light.

I don't believe God brings bad things upon people to lead us to Him or to deepen our faith. However, I do believe God uses everything, good and bad, to show us His grace and love in many ways. 

To those of you who are experiencing life changing and what may seem horrible events in your life I hope my testimony will show you that God will bring good beyond your imagination through your tribulations, that He will be with you throughout them and will ultimately bring you that peace which passes all understanding. 

In His Name,
Gale

March 12 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report