Faith and God

Faith is what we need in times of distress. Faith in our parents, or the legal system or government or the goodness of humanity. Sometimes we have it, sometimes we don't. The only faith that matters is our faith in GOD.

For someone with a disability (like me), it can become difficult to have faith in GOD. We start reasoning and rationalizing about things, thus we reduce our faith. One thing to note is that faith can't be conditional. Particularly faith in GOD, has to be 100% complete and unconditional.

Why we need faith in GOD, when we have disability ? Because we do not know GOD's plan for us and how HE is going to use our disability to serve his purpose.

Jesus said unto them," Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." - Matthew 17-20

This can be true for us if we have true belief in GOD and also we want to use our faith to bring glory to GOD. Faith in GOD and prayer for unselfish reasons always has positive outcome.

(I think, one most post is warranted for this idea. More tomorrow.)

Gratitude and God

I have dystrophy, so I am supposed to be bitter about life. But I am happy with my life the way it is at this moment. So how does one develop a happiness attitude ? Simple, just stay centered in GOD.

We must stay focused on GOD and HIS plan for us. Then even though we may not understand HIS plan, we can be sure that all that is necessary to fulfill that plan has been given. When we develop this attitude, we can be grateful that GOD has plans and provisions for us.

Dystrophy is just a side show for me in the greater glory of GOD's plan for me. I live with a sense of gratefulness with what I have got. A loving and caring close knit family, few but dependable friends who will do anything for my well-being. God through my father's legacy has provided for me and my mother - financially.

When we focus on what we have and feel grateful to GOD for all we have, we tend to stay happy. So live focusing on GOD and with gratitude for you have and pray for others.

Desires and God

As human beings, we all have desires. These desires keep us attached to this earthly environment. Our ultimate goal is live with our heavenly father - GOD. Our earthly desires keep us away from GOD. But we should not suppress our desires as it only strengthens them.

Instead, we should surrender our desires to the GOD. Also we must pray that GOD uses, our desire for greater good and as per his plan. So if our desires are fulfilled it was HIS plan. Hence we must rejoice, but if our desires do not come to fruition it was not in GOD's plan.

Rene Descartes said " I have made it my habit to alter my desires rather than order of the world.." . I follow this but modify the thinking. I have altered my desires, as per my understanding of GOD's plan for me. If desires are fulfilled wonderful. If they are not I wait for something more meaningful for me from GOD.

With disability we have many desires. We must inspect our motivation for those desires and then wait for our answer in quiet meditation of GOD.

Depression and God

"When I am depressed, somewhere deep inside, I know that I am denying the presence of GOD." - Gerald Jampolsky. I feel that this is true. When we deny GOD, we are denying ourselves true glory. The thought brings a feeling of separation from GOD.

Any separation, brings a feeling of despair or depression. But, why do we feel depressed? I feel we feel depressed when we are doing things that we don't want to do. Or, we are doing things which are not in harmony with GOD's plan for us.

When things are not according to GOD's plan, they fail. This failure leads to despair or depression. My suggestion, when feeling depressed - think about GOD and pray for guidance. It works with practice. Soon you will be free from depression when you are in communion with our Heavenly Father.

Contentment and God

Many of us live a discontented life. We feel that if we had somethings more, or different or bigger then we would be content in life. Persons with disability may feel, that they would be content with life if they had a "normal" body.

The main reason we do not feel contentment in our lives is because we are looking outside for it. When we start thinking what is GOD's plan for us, the confusion in our attitude will slowly subside. When we start putting ourselves in the path of GOD's plan - we move towards contentment.

When we understand GOD's plan for us, we are grateful for this life. And this is enough to make more content in our lives. When we are acting on GOD's plan we will be content.

After my body became disabled because of dystrophy, I have offered myself completely to GOD for his purpose. The idea that I will be used by GOD, has made brought more contentment in my life.

I find that reading the BIBLE and particularly meditating on Psalm 23, is really helpful.

Choice and God

Many people feel that human beings are not free. That we do not have any choice. I say that is not true. We are free to choose. God has given us free choice.

However, this does not mean we are given freedom to do anything without consequences. Henry W. Beecher said "God asks no man whether he will accept life. That is not a choice. You must take it. The only choice is how."

I have dystrophy, which has made my body disabled. I did not ask for dystrophy. But since, in GOD's plan for me I have dystrophy - I will accept it with joy. I will make my life with dystrophy beautiful and purposeful.

I will work to use this opportunity and an stepping stone to greater spiritual riches. I will make the purpose of my life to use my dystrophy to bring glory to GOD.

With this choice of attitude towards disability and GOD, only positive outcome is possible.
Remember, it is our attitude that determines our choice. We can choose between good and bad, life and death.

Body, disability and God

I have muscular dystrophy. Thus my body is becoming disabled. But still I am not disabled. This is not a paradox. We have to understand, that we are not the body.

As long as we identify ourselves as a body, we will experience pain, sorrow and yes disability. We are souls having human experience. To quote Jean Mouroux "The body is made for the soul to express it.."

This does not mean you neglect the body. In fact we must take good care of it, for through this human body we can reach our final home. Consider that our body is the church, the altar is the heart. At the altar Jesus waits to take us home.

When our heart has Jesus, and our minds are focused on our heavenly father - GOD, we start living on a new plane. A plane where the body carries no significance and hence disability, no meaning.

When we understand ourselves are GOD's creation, then we can't be disabled. We are beautiful, divine and perfect. The body might be flawed, but the soul focused on GOD in due course becomes flawless.