“Perseverance is more than endurance. It is endurance combined with absolute assurance and certainty that what we are looking for is going to happen.” – Oswald Chambers
It’s no secret that I live with a lifelong, progressive disability. I want to clarify what I believe about physical healing, disability, and character development.
1. God is not an abusive parent. He did not ‘give’ me this disability in order that I could develop a godly character. Nor did He allow me to be disabled so I could inspire others. Disabilities and illnesses are NEVER gifts sent by God. Think about it for a moment. You would call Child Protection Services if you knew of a parent who deliberately caused their child a grievous injury. Children who watch a parent abuse a fellow sibling end up with deep trauma and fear toward that parent. To say God caused my disability or is delaying my healing until I learn a lesson or complete an assignment is blasphemy in my mind.
2. My disability is simply a result of being born into a fallen world. When Adam and Eve sinned, they paved the way for many illnesses and genetic disorders. Adam and Eve’s original design was perfect, with no disposition for illness. God intended that we live in perfect health. Jesus death on the cross paid the price not only for our salvation but for our healing.
Isaiah 53:5 – “He was pierced for our offenses, He was crushed for our wrongdoings; the punishment for our well-being was laid upon Him, And by His wounds, we are healed.”
Charcot Marie Tooth is a genetic disease that is active at conception and slowly progresses throughout a person’s lifespan. There is a 50 percent chance of a parent passing this disease on to their offspring, but only if that parent has the disease themselves. My mother was not aware she had CMT until specialists positively diagnosed me with it through testing. Her symptoms were much milder than mine and did not affect her quality of life. I am very grateful that even if genetic testing had been available when I was conceived, she would not have chosen abortion. Yes, my life is increasingly challenging, but my life is GOOD!
3. I believe God heals today. I have witnessed dozens of healings first-hand. As I joyfully obeyed the scripture, “lay hands on the sick and they shall be healed”, God has healed many right in front of my eyes.
I don’t know why I am not healed yet, but I do not look at my not-yet healing as a ‘no’ from God. We do have an enemy of our souls and bodies, and there is a battle in heavenly realms. A delay in answered prayer does not mean that God has not set in motion an answer to that prayer. We must persist and persevere with faith-filled prayer until we see a breakthrough.
Daniel 10:10-13 -“Then behold, a hand touched me and shook me on my hands and knees. And he said to me, “Daniel, you who are treasured, understand the words that I am about to tell you and stand at your place, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was standing in my way for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.” Emphasis mine.
4. I believe God uses all things for our good by giving us grace, strength, and endurance to persevere in hope, faith, and love. He gives us beauty for ashes and transforms painful circumstances into blessings if we permit Him to do so. While He does not cause our infirmities, nor does He willfully prolong them, He will give us the opportunity to partner with Him. Note: The following passage that many people have quoted concerning my disability says NOTHING about God causing these things to happen.
God uses difficult circumstances to bring good if we have faith that He will do what He says He will do. Resist bitterness, resentment, and the questioning of God’s goodness. These are tools of the enemy. Resist trying to defend God by plastering bandaids of unbiblical statements upon situations for which you simply lack an answer. Your stab in the dark could be an assault on God’s character resulting in the draining of another person’s faith.
James 1:2-5 – “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
ATTENTION: Zoom meetings are currently on a Summer schedule
Every Second Monday – our next meetings will be on July 19, August 2, August 16, and August 30. In September. the day might switch depending on the school schedule for me. Stay tuned.
We meet at 5:30 PM MDT. I host an informal discussion group on the Zoom platform. You are most welcome to join us. Please use the contact form to message me with your email address if you have not contacted me already. I will have a waiting room enabled. If I don’t recognise you, I won’t add you to the call to ensure the safety and privacy of the group.
The zoom call is ONLY for those who contacted me through Facebook, email, or the contact form on this site. If you have not yet sent me your email address and would like to participate, do so by replying to this email. Let me know you are a member of this list and you’d like to join the Zoom Call. You would be most welcome to do so.
©2021 Katherine Walden