Impairment
caused by a disability affects both the body and the mind. The impairment and
resulting disability attacks mainly without warning, but some are
self-inflicted. Regardless of the origin, the offense is no less intense on the
body, mind, and Spirit. Yet, there remains something that the attack cannot
conquer: hope.
The goal of
Disciples Path Ministry is to bring hope, help, encouragement, fellowship, and
knowledge to those suffering from disabilities. We focus on bringing God’s
promise and help to all those suffering from disabilities, as well as their
caregivers, friends, and families. We must have an understanding of the impact
of a limitation on a person. Also, how different people react to the
disability, and how God has called His people to respond. For those of us with
a disability, we must allow hope to transform into faith and unquestioning
reliance on God.
For our hope
to transform into an unquestioning reliance on God requires insights, both into
our disability and God’s Word. We, at Disciples Path Ministry, pray we can help
equip you with tools to enable you to cultivate an acceptance of the gift of your disability. I hope that as
you read and study on, we will come to understand an angry, cynical, hopeless,
and fearful outlook on your disability is not necessary. We will show how it
can become one of happiness and joy through the love of God.
Who’s Working against You
1 Peter 5:6-11(NKJV)
6Therefore humble yourselves under the
mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all
your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom
he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that
the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10But
may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus,
after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle
you. 11To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
For now, this
may sound strange and too preachy.
However, let’s unpack just what or who is working against you. As an impairment
invades, cripples, and sometimes destroys parts of us as it turns into a
disability, it cannot touch our soul.
We must etch in our mind and heart God is love. The devil is evil. The devil
and his demons know to attack us at our weakest points and in our most
vulnerable moments. The evil ones know how it benefits them to create anxiety,
anguish, physical pain, and fear in us.
The Scripture
above should encourage you to stand firm in the faith. In 2 Cor. 12:10, we find
that beyond human comprehension, God’s
strength is made perfect in weakness(2 Cor.12:9). God allows us to choose to either
stand against the evil or succumb to it. God’s grace gives the ability to stand
against the evil in both the physical arena and in the spiritual realm.
What is the Difference between
Impairment and Disability?
Generally
speaking, an impairment is an actual
condition, while a disability is the
restriction of ability caused by that condition. Keeping in mind that words can
mean different things to different people, we want to add a handicap refers to the way impairment
restricts a person’s functioning. Disciples Path Ministry uses words
impairment, disability, and handicap. For this study, the word disability will be used as an overall or
all-encompassing term unless otherwise noted.
The Impact on Body, Mind, and Spirit
A disability
is a deeply personal attack of one’s self. Certain commonalities exist;
however, a disability will differ from individual to individual. Those of us
with a disability know the uniqueness of our physical and mental state.
Suffering from chronic pain is a constant reminder for many of us. It reminds
of of our uniqueness.
The Body
Those of us
with a physical disability will react uniquely to our disability. There will be
some similarities, but no two people with the same disability label are going to respond to it in the
same manner. Our challenges are very personal and, as such many times affect
our personality traits. Caregivers, friends, and family members often have
great difficulty in truly understanding how difficult and deeply personal
living with a disability can be, especially if we suffer from chronic pain. For
them to be effective in ministering to us, there must be an emotional
connection allowing them to react to our unique physical challenges. Not everyone
will make this connection, especially those that choose not to be guided by the
Wisdom of God’s Word. It takes both people doing the same thing the same way to
make this connection bloom.
The Mind
A physical
disability will still affect the mind. For many of us, especially if suffering
from chronic pain, find the effect relentless. Fear, anxiety, and anger are
always at the forefront. Caregivers, friends, and family are usually the first
to detect this state of mind.
The
combination of the physical and mental state trigger other disturbing and
unhealthy issues. Sleeplessness, lowered immune system, digestive disorders,
weight gain or weight loss, loss of appetite, mood disorders, bowel disorders,
as well as possible heart disease, just to mention a few, can result from the
additional stress. The mind can directly impact the health of the body. We
encourage everyone to cultivate a happier and more peaceful state of mind
through Christ Jesus. This study will prayerfully help you on the journey.
The Spirit
It is not
uncommon for those of us with a disability to feel alone in our struggle.
Unfortunately, too many of us find the battle is not day to day but a moment to
moment. The struggle is especially real for those of us experiencing chronic
pain. Our hope rests in the Spirit. The Spirit gives us guidance to God, the
Giver, the Great Physician, and the Creator of all life.
Discussion
What is the
goal of Disciples Path Ministry?
What is the
focus of Disciples Path Ministry?
What is the
difference between impairment, disability, and handicapped?