JRM Sison Chapter - Teachings - Handicapped Christian

Define handicap (from Encarta Encyclopedia Dictionary)
     ·     hindrance: something that hinders or is a disadvantage to somebody or something
     ·     physical or mental disability: a particular way in which somebody is physically or mentally disabled

From our own perspective, handicap is anything that hinders to reach the goal. It is an obstacle to reach the finish line. As Christians, handicap prevents us to do the best we can for the Lord. Before we proceed any further, we must realize first what a Christian’s handicap is; what our handicap is.

All of us, unless you consider yourself extraordinary from the rest, have a certain handicap. Our handicap may belong to one or more of the following groups;
     ·     Physical handicap - Sickness, ailment, physical deformation, slurred speech, abnormal body activity; these are examples of the many physical handicap Christians experienced in their ministry that tend to disable one’s objective and purpose in life.
     ·     Mental handicap - Lack of education, low IQ, unable to pick-up instructions; any mental incapacity are handicaps that become obstacles to Christian growth.
     ·     Emotional handicap - Too much passion (i.e. anger, hatred, sorrow, bitterness); these are emotions that create negative impressions hindering Christian maturity.
     ·    Positional/Financial handicap - Poverty, lowly-position in the community; these are financial and positional depression that are experienced by Christians who consider themselves third-rate or impoverished in the church as well as in the community.
     ·     Spiritual handicap - This is an unusual handicap for Christians and actually a result from the above handicaps. It defeats any Christian purpose or plans.

Though we categorized handicaps with negative examples, note that even greatness and wealth can be a handicap. How so? We will discuss it further as we unfold the truth about a handicapped Christian.

Biblical Characters with Handicaps

Let us look upon the Bible, our authority in all matters of faith and practice, and try to learn more about handicaps.

In the Old Testament, the most famous handicapped prophet was Moses. God has chosen him among many to lead God’s people out of bondage from slavery in Egypt. Though it was God that was obviously talking to Moses, doubt had surfaced not because of God’s promise and show of power but because of his handicap. He has difficulty in speech. He was not an eloquent speaker. He confessed to the Lord that he might not be the right person for the job because of his physical handicap. He already concluded his defeat even though he was talking with the greatest power, the only living God, the great I AM. Does it sound familiar? Do you notice the similarity? It may probably be similar to our situation, to my situation, to your situation.

Another example is in the life of Jeremiah. The Lord had chosen him to become His prophet. Jeremiah, having positional handicap, realized the gravity of the responsibility that God was about to give him. He argued about his youth, about his position in the society that he can never be a prophet because of age differences. Who was he talking to anyway? Who chose him to be a prophet? It was God and Jeremiah was elected by God to become His prophet. Again, do you notice something familiar? Do you notice the similarity? It may probably be similar to our situation, to my situation, to your situation.

Let us cite our last example: in the New Testament, in the life of Paul the apostle. One of the greatest if not the greatest among all apostles of Jesus Christ was Paul. But he has a certain handicap, an infirmity that he prayed that the Lord might remove from his life. But the Lord said, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor 12:9)”. Though Paul was experiencing difficulties in his ministry because of his handicap, he still became one of the greatest servants of God. He carried on with the race of faith; he looked unto Jesus instead of his handicap. He placed his trust in the Lord instead of his strength. He continued his ministry because he loved Jesus Christ. He did not get involved in the ministry of Jesus just because of fame and fortune but because of a deep relationship with God. True that he was one of the greatest Christian persecutors before he became a Christian but he was just zealous in his ministry and he thought that he was doing the right thing. Note that God has chosen him to represent Jesus among the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel (Acts 9:15). God had used his zealousness. God has redeemed Paul and this time Paul knew he was serving the Most High God. Are we like Paul? Do we glory in tribulation? Do we continue our fight of faith in spite of our handicap? Are we zealous with the ministry that God has entrusted us? Are we willing to listen? Are we willing to obey?

Greatness can be a Handicap

Many people thought that riches, power, position and health are the key to a successful witnessing. I believe that if we were all millionaires before we accepted Jesus we won’t go to church. Riches, power and position are sometimes handicaps that need to be resolved.

Reasons of Handicap

     ·     Inborn - Most handicaps are inborn; probable causes might be failed abortion, excessive smoking and drinking, genetic problems, inheritance; whatever the cause, all fingers point to the parents. Due to the probable causes, a child may be blind at birth, deaf, lame has abnormal body structure, mentally ill, has weak organs, proud, etc.
     ·     Acquired - Other handicaps are acquired; probable causes might be fatal accidents, sickness, poor environment, childhood abuse, mental abuse, physical abuse, emotional stress; whatever the cause, all fingers point to others or outside faculties (environment, culture, and tradition). Due to the probable causes, a person may be bodily deformed, incapacitated, having unresponsive senses, paranoid, fearful, filled with hatred, sickly, etc.
     ·     Developed - Other handicaps are developed; probable causes might be loss of self-esteem, selfishness, arrogance/pride, emotional instability, hatred, jealousy; whatever the cause, all fingers point to oneself. Due to the probable causes, a person might be holding back, secluding oneself, unwilling to subject to authority, and unresponsive.

Handicapped Christian

There is one TV series that I’ve watched partially. I’m not a TV addict but this particular series caught my attention. The title was “One Liter of Tears”. The main character, Aya, succumb to a brain sickness that slowly incapacitated her and render part of her bodily functions useless. She was hospitalized and all hope seems to have left her. One thing that touch my heart (and that was the reason why I’ve watched it) was when she asked her friend, “Why do people walk?” She asked this because she began to lose her ability to walk. She began to pity herself. But instead of falling back she began to do something; something that she was only capable to do; she began to write. She wrote her life story and her teacher published it. To cut the story short, her articles encouraged people like her; her articles strengthened the hearts of many; her articles brought people hope. She died not one of the incapacitated but one who had helped others.

As Christians, have we helped others? There is a lesson in this TV series. We must do the best we can. We must not do our best; we must not only do what we can but we must do the best we can. I’ll share a simple guideline on how to do this:
     ·     Search what you can do. Don’t try to be someone else. Be the person God wanted you to be. If you can’t use one faculty of your talent then try others. Search what is more comfortable for you to do.
     ·     Implement on what you’ve searched. There is no other way to know the results except through implementation. Act on what you’ve searched. Action creates a reaction. Without any action there can be no reaction. Act to make a difference.
     ·     Move to a higher level. Don’t be contented on small things. Try bigger things to have bigger results. No millionaire became rich by maintaining small things. Move higher. Aim higher and expect great things to happen in your life.
     ·     Push harder. If the going gets tough, P.U.S.H. so that the tough gets going. Pray Until Success Happens. There is nothing hard for the Lord. Keep PUSHing and remain trusting in the Lord.
     ·     Learn to accept failures as part of success. Success is sweeter in every failure. Know that failures are good teachers. They are good eye-openers. They keep you on your toes. How can you perfect one thing if there were no failures? Failures, if viewed in the right perspective, make us perfect.
     ·     Embrace the calling of God. Know this; a blessed life is having an obedient heart while a cursed life is having a rebellious heart. Note that all Christians are called to be in the service of God, one way or another. No matter the age, gender, or position, we are called by God. Embracing the calling means accepting the responsibility. Accepting the responsibility means accepting God’s provisions. Thus, embracing the calling is to accept the provisions of God.

The Faith of the Handicapped Christian

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

This verse states an urgency of faith meaning that it should be done immediately. The word “NOW” emphasizes this. To what does it ascribe for? It is the substance of things. Romans 8:28 explains this substance of things, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” The outcome of this substance of things is hope. The substance of things may be trials, tribulations, problems, persecutions, sickness, etc. In short, they are handicaps. If we analyze this well, handicaps create hope. Only through handicaps can hope be born.

What brought you to believe in Christ Jesus? It was hope. You were hoping for something to turn out right for you. You were expecting that your troubled life will be easier once you believe in Jesus. It was your handicap that pushed you to believe, to accept Jesus Christ as your God and Saviour. Only through handicaps can one be truly born again.

Handicaps give birth to hope. Hope builds faith. But what is this hope that builds faith? It will be the evidence of things not seen. Evidence means it can be paraded, seen, touched or experienced. It is the outcome of hope; it is the outcome of handicaps that turned out to become a blessing rather than a curse.

Brethren, build up your faith with your handicaps. Don’t rely too much on your strength but rather strengthen it with your handicaps or weaknesses. Apostle Paul’s weakness or physical infirmity was used by God to serve His purpose (Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first - Gal 4:13). What more with us? Heb 13:8 states, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” God will use our handicaps to serve His purpose. Remember, God’s strength is made perfect through our weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). Just keep your Christian life S.I.M.P.L.E. Continue your good fight of faith and God will do the rest. God bless.