Disabling Your Disability

2 Corinthians 4:7 "We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves."

2 Corinthians 12: 8 "Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

“Do not allow your body to become the dictator of your potential” ~ Myles Munroe

Those who are closest to me know that I often have severe back that that has worsened over the last two years. I often have to ask for low lying items to be picked up for me and I need assistance with carrying even moderately heavy objects. Just getting out of my car can be an excruciating task. After spending months in progressive misery and wolfing down dose after dose of over the counter pain medicines, I finally resolved to go to the doctor earlier this summer. An MRI confirmed a degenerating and slightly bulging disk, as well as two vertebrae compressed secondary to arthritis. My grandmother, sister and maternal aunt all had or presently have the same problem, and I had spent some time trying to ignore the pain of what I already suspected was my issue. After being referred to an orthopedic surgeon, he reminded me that I am too young at this point to consider a risky spine surgery and that I should begin my healing process with physical therapy and weight loss. As I sat in his office, on a particularly painful day, it occurred to me that in order to overcome my disabling back pain, I would have to take a whole new approach to the problem. Certainly I would remain prayerful for a divine healing, but God let me know that this would be a process for me. There would be no instantaneous fix. No magical pill. No palliating procedure. In order to overcome my physical limitations, I was going to have to move forward all the while drawing on the enabling power of the Holy Spirit in this my “pre-miracle” phase. Nothing is too hard for God and He finishes what He starts! “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. “ (Philippians 1:6) We rejoice with great expectation of total Divine healing!

Speak the Word!

God wants us to lean and depend on Him both before and after we receive healing and we must encourage ourselves through His Holy Word. Our faith grows stronger as we pray the Word of God for ourselves. Romans 10:17 says it best: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” A poor medical diagnosis cannot negate the power of the Word of God in your life. We will not allow physical disability to dictate our Godly potential. There is simply too much Kingdom work to do and too much abundant life to life! Speak the Word! “My pain will not depress me, for the joy of the Lord is my strength (Nehemiah 8:10)!” “Pain will not deter me from going to the house of God to worship, for I too will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6).” “I will not focus on my present physical abilities since I am promised in the Word of God that we “…wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. (Romans 8:23). “ Pray prayers of faith that are solidly rooted in the written promises of our Lord.

Hidden Treasure

Recall that we are so much more than our bodies! We understand that “We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.” (2 Corinthians 4:7) The enemy will certainly use our supposed limitations to try and hinder the light of God in us from penetrating the darkness of this world. Know that your potential impact in the Kingdom of God is a very real threat to the kingdom of darkness. 2 Corinthians 4:16 also encourages us: “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.” Despite what you feel like, as a believer, you grow stronger day by day! Consistent communion with the Holy Spirit by prayer and reading of the Word allows us to bear temporary pain with the understanding that our inner man gains new vigor with each moment we spend gleaning from the hidden treasures of God within.

Grace; It's All You Need

The great apostle Paul, shares with us in 2 Corinthians chapter 12, that he too suffered some sort of physical condition. He describes a “thorn in the flesh” and states that he prayed three times for God to deliver him from it. The Lord Jesus responds in verse 9: “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” By the grace of God, our limitations are converted to opportunities for God to make manifest His glory upon the Earth. While I do not enjoy hurting on a daily basis, I relish the fact that God can use my weakness to strengthen others and that a treasure trove of potential Kingdom impact resides in me. When God elevates and sustains us in spite of our limitations He is truly glorified and the full power of Christ can work through us (2 Corinthians 2:9). When we are weak, He is made strong in our lives. Thank You Lord for your amazing grace!

We're in this thing together

Perhaps you do not have a physical disability, and yet you suffer the crippling effects of a broken heart, wounded spirit and clouded thoughts. Maybe you are emotionally bent and bowed in the wake of past relationships, lost opportunities, and internal struggles. Others, like me battle physical conditions. Whatever the case may be, know that God sees your weaknesses. He made you and knows all about you. The ache in your body, soul, or spirit is not a news flash to the Lord. God desires that we embrace the understanding that His grace is sufficient for us during our healing process and that we too have access to “great power” (2 Corinthians 4:7) through Christ! Everyone has pain in this life. We must never forget to lift one another's needs to the Father in prayer.

Dr.’s Orders: Today's orders are simple.

-Pray that God will strengthen your ailing family, friends, and co-workers according to His ever sufficient grace.
-Continue to pray God's promises of healing for your own life. --Recognize that your current situation is an opportunity for God to get glory from your life.

Your healing may be a process, but God will certainly strengthen you along the journey. Disable your disability in Jesus' name!