Living with disability has always been difficult in the human experience. Job was blamed for all the suffering that fell upon him (including excruciating sores all over his body). His friends made the faulty assumption that Job suffered due to his own sin. Jesus’ disciples were also confused about disability. They assumed that a man born blind had sinned, or his parents had sinned. Jesus answered them with this: “It was not that this man sinned or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:1-3)
The view of disability in Scripture is incredibly precious. God sees the broken, and promises to heal them. He will be glorified by them, and they will glory in him! When I am feeling very defeated by messages from friends, family or the world, I turn to Isaiah 35:
“Strengthen the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who have an anxious heart,
‘Be strong; fear not!
Behold, your God
will come with vengeance
with the recompense of God.
He will come and save you.’
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then shall the lame man leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.”
What dignity God displays to the disabled! What comfort He personally bestows! What kindness and compassion He demonstrates!
I also think of King David, and his kindness to Jonathan’s son who was crippled. David and Jonathan had covenanted with one another, with a promise of loyalty to one another’s houses. After Jonathan had died, David asked for Mephiboseheth to be brought before him, and declared to him: “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” (2 Sam 9:7). As King of Israel, David could have scorned this lame man as a dead dog (which is how Mephiboseth described himself). Instead, David showed him great honour and gave him a seat at his own royal table.
Over the last few years, the decisions and attitudes of both political extremes has dismayed me. These attitudes make me feel worthless, like the dead dog Mephibosheth felt he was.
ON THE EXTREME LEFT
I live in Canada, and one of the most disheartening days has been the day this country legalised euthanasia.
Euthanasia Definition:
“euthanasia, act or practice of painlessly putting to death persons suffering from painful and incurable disease or incapacitating physical disorder or allowing them to die by withholding treatment or withdrawing artificial life-support measures. Because there is no specific provision for it in most legal systems, it is usually regarded as either suicide (if performed by the patient himself) or murder (if performed by another).”
https://www.britannica.com/topic/euthanasia
Here in Canada, euthanasia was just for end of life, but now will eventually include those with mental health struggles (such as depression). In Canada, it is called MAID.
MAID Definition:
“Medical assistance in dying (MAID) is a process that allows someone who is found eligible to be able to receive assistance from a medical practitioner in ending their life. The federal Criminal Code of Canada permits this to take place only under very specific circumstances and rules. Anyone requesting this service must meet specific eligibility criteria to receive medical assistance in dying. Any medical practitioner who administers an assisted death to someone must satisfy certain safeguards first.
Only medical practitioners are permitted to conduct assessments and to provide medical assistance in dying. This can be a physician or a nurse practitioner, where provinces and territories allow.”
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-services-benefits/medical-assistance-dying.htm
Impact of the Legalisation of Euthanasia on My Heart:
The messaging of euthanasia is pretty degrading and damaging to my psyche. No longer are people fighting for my life, and seeking suicide prevention! Instead, they are encouraging suicide. For me, the message is that if I am a burden, I should bless all those around me, and choose death. As more and more people choose death, I struggle more deeply with my own existence. I wonder if my family will one day want me to choose euthanasia. I wonder if the world despises me. I wonder if I should choose suicide now. This is the impact of euthanasia on my heart.
Resources on Euthanasia:
Dr. Ewan Goligher’s book ‘How Then Should We Die”
https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/article/death-and-dying-a-catechism-for-christians/
https://www.amazon.ca/How-Should-then-Die-Physician-Assisted/dp/1683597478/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1PQG6FBOPEKQL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.W3myJBZqZ2IfczwsZk1TOvnPn847bBSQLj41JkTN1Ks.pgiuaIlaZnDC5q3wfGujAqsHhRsVKgcsEgpbmlcUsqE&dib_tag=se&keywords=how+then+should+we+die&qid=1755100644&sprefix=how+then+should+we+die%2Caps%2C137&sr=8-1
ON THE EXTREME RIGHT
Euthanasia Definition:
“euthanasia, act or practice of painlessly putting to death persons suffering from painful and incurable disease or incapacitating physical disorder or allowing them to die by withholding treatment or withdrawing artificial life-support measures. Because there is no specific provision for it in most legal systems, it is usually regarded as either suicide (if performed by the patient himself) or murder (if performed by another).”
https://www.britannica.com/topic/euthanasia
Here in Canada, euthanasia was just for end of life, but now will eventually include those with mental health struggles (such as depression). In Canada, it is called MAID.
MAID Definition:
“Medical assistance in dying (MAID) is a process that allows someone who is found eligible to be able to receive assistance from a medical practitioner in ending their life. The federal Criminal Code of Canada permits this to take place only under very specific circumstances and rules. Anyone requesting this service must meet specific eligibility criteria to receive medical assistance in dying. Any medical practitioner who administers an assisted death to someone must satisfy certain safeguards first.
Only medical practitioners are permitted to conduct assessments and to provide medical assistance in dying. This can be a physician or a nurse practitioner, where provinces and territories allow.”
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-services-benefits/medical-assistance-dying.htm
Impact of the Legalisation of Euthanasia on My Heart:
The messaging of euthanasia is pretty degrading and damaging to my psyche. No longer are people fighting for my life, and seeking suicide prevention! Instead, they are encouraging suicide. For me, the message is that if I am a burden, I should bless all those around me, and choose death. As more and more people choose death, I struggle more deeply with my own existence. I wonder if my family will one day want me to choose euthanasia. I wonder if the world despises me. I wonder if I should choose suicide now. This is the impact of euthanasia on my heart.
Resources on Euthanasia:
Dr. Ewan Goligher’s book ‘How Then Should We Die”
https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/article/death-and-dying-a-catechism-for-christians/
https://www.amazon.ca/How-Should-then-Die-Physician-Assisted/dp/1683597478/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1PQG6FBOPEKQL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.W3myJBZqZ2IfczwsZk1TOvnPn847bBSQLj41JkTN1Ks.pgiuaIlaZnDC5q3wfGujAqsHhRsVKgcsEgpbmlcUsqE&dib_tag=se&keywords=how+then+should+we+die&qid=1755100644&sprefix=how+then+should+we+die%2Caps%2C137&sr=8-1
ON THE EXTREME RIGHT
I thought I could find sanity on the political right. I couldn’t have been more wrong. On the right there’s an increasing fascination with eugenics, and despising of those who can’t contribute to society.
Eugenics Defintion:
“eugenics, the selection of desired heritable characteristics in order to improve future generations, typically in reference to humans. The term eugenics was coined in 1883 by British explorer and natural scientist Francis Galton, who, influenced by Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection, advocated a system that would allow “the more suitable races or strains of blood a better chance of prevailing speedily over the less suitable.” Social Darwinism, the popular theory in the late 19th century that life for humans in society was ruled by “survival of the fittest,” helped advance eugenics into serious scientific study in the early 1900s.”
https://www.britannica.com/science/eugenics-genetics
In Canada, there are a portion of Conservatives who want to emulate the politics of our neighbours to the South. In the States, they just passed the Big Beautiful Bill, which will cut Medicare for many, many people. Rural hospitals will be forced to close due to lack of funds. Patients needing dialysis won’t have access. Many people will die. I’ve heard some cruel comments in defense of this bill. Some Republicans suggest that the ill should just go work in the farm fields.
More than that, Trump has ridiculed the disabled. He has also spoken many times about the importance of ‘good genes’ at frequency levels that concerns me. He references his German heritage when talking about his own ‘good genes’.
Finally, there are others in Trump’s administration, or in his realm of influence who have a strange fascination with eugenics. Stephen Miller and Robert F. Kennedy have both made some horrific comments. There is a strange and weird flirtation with eugenics with some of the tech giants in the right’s orbit. The more I look into each individual involved in Trump’s administration, the more deeply concerned I become.
The general sense I get on the extreme right is that the disabled are blamed. They are not shown dignity. It’s believed by some Republicans that the disabled are ‘gaming the system’. There’s a cruel sense in which the disabled should just be left to die, so that the ‘fittest’ can prevail.
The Impact of the Attitudes of the Right on My Heart:
In my darker moments, I wonder if I should give my family relief and go live on the streets, until the brutal cold takes me. The kinds of comments I have heard on the political right feed this despair I can struggle with. There’s a cruelty, and blaming and a despising of weakness. This leads me to despise myself. I question God’s care for me. I despise my weakness. There’s a particular glorying in strength that the extreme right indulges in. They forget that “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong” (1 Cor 1:27).
GOD'S HEART FOR THE DISABLED
Eugenics Defintion:
“eugenics, the selection of desired heritable characteristics in order to improve future generations, typically in reference to humans. The term eugenics was coined in 1883 by British explorer and natural scientist Francis Galton, who, influenced by Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection, advocated a system that would allow “the more suitable races or strains of blood a better chance of prevailing speedily over the less suitable.” Social Darwinism, the popular theory in the late 19th century that life for humans in society was ruled by “survival of the fittest,” helped advance eugenics into serious scientific study in the early 1900s.”
https://www.britannica.com/science/eugenics-genetics
In Canada, there are a portion of Conservatives who want to emulate the politics of our neighbours to the South. In the States, they just passed the Big Beautiful Bill, which will cut Medicare for many, many people. Rural hospitals will be forced to close due to lack of funds. Patients needing dialysis won’t have access. Many people will die. I’ve heard some cruel comments in defense of this bill. Some Republicans suggest that the ill should just go work in the farm fields.
More than that, Trump has ridiculed the disabled. He has also spoken many times about the importance of ‘good genes’ at frequency levels that concerns me. He references his German heritage when talking about his own ‘good genes’.
Finally, there are others in Trump’s administration, or in his realm of influence who have a strange fascination with eugenics. Stephen Miller and Robert F. Kennedy have both made some horrific comments. There is a strange and weird flirtation with eugenics with some of the tech giants in the right’s orbit. The more I look into each individual involved in Trump’s administration, the more deeply concerned I become.
The general sense I get on the extreme right is that the disabled are blamed. They are not shown dignity. It’s believed by some Republicans that the disabled are ‘gaming the system’. There’s a cruel sense in which the disabled should just be left to die, so that the ‘fittest’ can prevail.
The Impact of the Attitudes of the Right on My Heart:
In my darker moments, I wonder if I should give my family relief and go live on the streets, until the brutal cold takes me. The kinds of comments I have heard on the political right feed this despair I can struggle with. There’s a cruelty, and blaming and a despising of weakness. This leads me to despise myself. I question God’s care for me. I despise my weakness. There’s a particular glorying in strength that the extreme right indulges in. They forget that “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong” (1 Cor 1:27).
GOD'S HEART FOR THE DISABLED
One extreme (on the left) comes in the guise of compassion and mercy. But it is really a lack of faith for God’s plans and purposes in weakness. There is a beautiful mystery in God. He does delight to be glorified in disability. It is actually cruel to encourage the end of a life before God’s timing. We don’t know what beauty God will bring out of the deep trials of the men and women who suffer a variety of disabilities. God is good. I confess, this is possibly the hardest thing someone with disability to believe. I pray for people to surround those with disability to live out God’s goodness to them. I pray that governments will abandon the legalisation of euthanasia, and live out kindness to those whose bodies (or minds) are broken.
The other extreme (on the right) comes in the guise of strength (protecting the strong at the cost of the weak). But it is really operating in fear (of other, of weakness, of being replaced) ..and is also a lack of faith.
God’s Word:
“ Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;
remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes;
cease to do evil,
learn to do good;
seek justice,
correct oppression;
bring justice to the fatherless,
plead the widow’s cause.
Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool.”
Isaiah 1:16-18
Any kind of oppression of the weak and helpless, any embrace of injustice is evil. Whether that’s on the political left or right. As Christians, I pray we would reject injustice and oppression on both sides. God hates oppression. God cares for the fatherless, widow, poor, broken, and lame. I pray we won’t be tempted to embrace one extreme because of our fear of another extreme. Extremes on both ends of the political spectrum are anti-thetical to God’s kingdom.
Joni Eareckson Tada’s ministry, Joni and Friends, is an excellent example of how to care well for the disabled in particular. My prayer is that Christendom will seek to emulate Joni’s care and help for the disabled, giving dignity and hope to those who have no hope. She emulates Christ. In seasons of deep discouragement and crisis with my own struggles with disability, people from Joni’s ministry have called me and answered my questions in an even more timely manner than my own church. I was shocked by this, and extraordinarily blessed by this ministry. They were lifters of my head, when I was bowed low. They have studied the Scriptures deeply on God’s heart for the disabled, and were able to preach the gospel to my weary heart, answering unique and complex questions on what those with disability struggle with. When I felt worthless and felt I didn’t deserve to live, this ministry reminded of God’s thoughts for me, and helped restore in me a desire to live again.
CONCLUSION
In the end, Job glorifies God through his imperfect suffering. He does not curse God. He lives righteously, with care for the weak. Job’s friends who falsely judged and said what was not true of God fail to glorify God. They do not live righteously, especially in how they sought to ‘care’ (or failed to ‘care’) for Job in his weakness. Job shows them mercy, and offers sacrifices and prayers for them.
We do live in polarised times. We do live in a time where the disabled are not a priority. All the fighting with one another can cause us to fail to care for the deep suffering some of us are experiencing. I pray that we will care more for the heart of God than our political allegiances. I pray that eyes will be open to the dangers on both sides of the political spectrum, and learn to press into God’s Word for how we ought to live. I pray for mercy and generosity. For those of you who are struggling with disability, I especially pray for you. I pray God would be the lifter of your heads. I pray that God would help you to live righteously, even if those around you sin against you. I pray that you would emulate Job. More than that, I pray that you would emulate Christ, and suffer with patience, love and faith in God’s care for you. May God bless you and keep you, dear friends.
The other extreme (on the right) comes in the guise of strength (protecting the strong at the cost of the weak). But it is really operating in fear (of other, of weakness, of being replaced) ..and is also a lack of faith.
God’s Word:
“ Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;
remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes;
cease to do evil,
learn to do good;
seek justice,
correct oppression;
bring justice to the fatherless,
plead the widow’s cause.
Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool.”
Isaiah 1:16-18
Any kind of oppression of the weak and helpless, any embrace of injustice is evil. Whether that’s on the political left or right. As Christians, I pray we would reject injustice and oppression on both sides. God hates oppression. God cares for the fatherless, widow, poor, broken, and lame. I pray we won’t be tempted to embrace one extreme because of our fear of another extreme. Extremes on both ends of the political spectrum are anti-thetical to God’s kingdom.
Joni Eareckson Tada’s ministry, Joni and Friends, is an excellent example of how to care well for the disabled in particular. My prayer is that Christendom will seek to emulate Joni’s care and help for the disabled, giving dignity and hope to those who have no hope. She emulates Christ. In seasons of deep discouragement and crisis with my own struggles with disability, people from Joni’s ministry have called me and answered my questions in an even more timely manner than my own church. I was shocked by this, and extraordinarily blessed by this ministry. They were lifters of my head, when I was bowed low. They have studied the Scriptures deeply on God’s heart for the disabled, and were able to preach the gospel to my weary heart, answering unique and complex questions on what those with disability struggle with. When I felt worthless and felt I didn’t deserve to live, this ministry reminded of God’s thoughts for me, and helped restore in me a desire to live again.
CONCLUSION
In the end, Job glorifies God through his imperfect suffering. He does not curse God. He lives righteously, with care for the weak. Job’s friends who falsely judged and said what was not true of God fail to glorify God. They do not live righteously, especially in how they sought to ‘care’ (or failed to ‘care’) for Job in his weakness. Job shows them mercy, and offers sacrifices and prayers for them.
We do live in polarised times. We do live in a time where the disabled are not a priority. All the fighting with one another can cause us to fail to care for the deep suffering some of us are experiencing. I pray that we will care more for the heart of God than our political allegiances. I pray that eyes will be open to the dangers on both sides of the political spectrum, and learn to press into God’s Word for how we ought to live. I pray for mercy and generosity. For those of you who are struggling with disability, I especially pray for you. I pray God would be the lifter of your heads. I pray that God would help you to live righteously, even if those around you sin against you. I pray that you would emulate Job. More than that, I pray that you would emulate Christ, and suffer with patience, love and faith in God’s care for you. May God bless you and keep you, dear friends.
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