Prayer & God part 2

"To pray for a bodily cure and nothing more is a limited and limiting procedure. Pray also to be enlightened as to why this sickness fell upon you..." - Paul Brunton

Most of the persons with disability want a cure. But only wanting a cure is not the solution. It is like the FOMC - reducing interest rates in present situation. It is a quick fix to the symptom and not fixing the problem.

God has given us a body with disability ? We want it to be "normal". With our prayers may be, we can be cured. But, then are we fulfilling the purpose of our life that GOD as set for us ?
Also GOD gives us guidance in response to our prayers. But do we listen to HIM ?

J. Donald Walters says "Most people when they pray, talk to God rather than with Him. they don't take the time to listen, in deep inner silence, for His answer ..."

Even in our prayers we are pushing our story. We have no time to listen to anybody even - GOD. And then we wonder why our prayers are not answered. We blame all and sundry for unanswered prayers without accepting our impatience.

GOD will answer our prayers, only if we take time and effort to listen to the guidance. GOD speaks to us as a small voice in our heart.

"Be still, and know that I am God" - Psalms 46:10

Power & God

People with disability feel that they do not have any power over their lives. They feel powerless due to their disability. When we think that way, we forget that we can have all the power we need, only if we claim it.

And that power comes from GOD. If we stay connected to GOD and HIS purpose for us, we will receive the power to fulfill the task. Ralph W. Trine once said "The true secret of power lies in keeping one's connection with God who worketh all things."

We also feel powerless when we do not take the ownership or responsibility of our problem/condition. We must accept that disability is our problem, then we claim it as our own, bless it and work on it. When we accept the problem, we are taking personal responsibility for it.

It is in this acceptance we gain power to achieve what we want to achieve. And as always a prayer of gratitude to GOD will make it more powerful. To achieve greater power in life always go to the greatest source for help - GOD.

Perfection & God

Most of the persons with disability feel that they are not "perfect" or are imperfect. My question to them is "Do you believe in God?". Because if you believe in GOD you cannot accept being not perfect. So it can mean you do not believe in GOD or believe in GOD and think that HE can create something which is less than perfect.

"Be ye perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect.." - Jesus said.

We have to understand that we are perfect as we are. Our body may be challenged but still we are perfect. Why am I saying that ? Because, I feel that GOD has given me a perfect body to live with muscular dystrophy. Since HIS purpose for me is known to him, HE has given me perfect tool - my body to accomplish the mission.

If we are focused on GOD's plan for us and are ready to receive HIS guidance, then we will try to be with his will. Like Vincent de Paul says "Perfection consists in one thing alone, which is doing the will of GOD.."

Imagination, belief and disability

Kurt Vonnegut said "We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be..". So if a person with physical or mental challenges imagines to be disabled, then it comes the truth for them. Many persons believe that the whole world is ganged up against them and it becomes their reality.

I believe what Jesus said "Believe that you shall receive and you shall receive..". in spite of my physical challenges, I do not believe that I am disabled and that the world is a friendly place. This becomes true for me because I have strong belief in it being true.

As a person with disability, the best we can do is to seek GOD's guidance and act accordingly. We must believe that we are working for greater glory of GOD. When we are working for his purpose with strong faith and belief then we will be happy.

So, friends use your GOD given imagination and belief to live a happy life with disability.

Happiness, Disability and God

"Happiness is basically the awareness of that which is good, but since GOD is the Creator and Source of all good, true happiness, in its deepest sense, is the awareness of GOD. The search for happiness is the search for GOD..." - Elinor MacDonald

People with disability generally feel unhappy. Many times thinking that we would be happy without our disability. The only way to happiness is to be focused on GOD and cease worrying about things which are beyond our control.

Many times our lack of happiness is due to our need to be right all the time. We are ready to go to any extent to prove our point. We may win our point, but does that make us really happy ? No it does not.

When we focus on GOD and live a God-centered life, we will feel happy. We feel happy because GOD loves us. GOD's love is not conditional. HE loves us, the way we are - disability or not. We have to remember, GOD created us the way we are and that HE wants us to be happy.

So in spite of your disability if you stay and be happy then you are bringing glory to HIM and fulfilling his purpose for you

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.)

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.

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.

Anger and God

Anger is the basic emotion which all of humanity is familiar. But what is anger ? I feel, the emotion of our anger is nothing more than our insecurity. Our insecurity about what life will throw at us. Like Jesse Jennings once said "Anger is an alarm system, signaling the presence of fear..".

Why do we get angry ? For a person with disability it could be due to the physical challenges in life. We get angry because we feel we do not deserve our present condition. We also fear what will happen to us in the future. Because, as human beings we want to be always in control.

But can we be ? No. We can't, as God is in control. It is a simple thought -if you cannot beat them, join them. Only God's will triumphs, so why not accept God in totality and surrender to HIS wishes.

Remember, surrender just like forgiving is an act of courage and faith. It takes a strong individual to surrender to GOD. And when you do that check out, if you are still angry. You can't be angry when you are one with GOD's plan for you.

Adversity and God

Most of the persons with disability feel that adversity in life is not good. True, life with disability is not a bed of flowers. But then there is another view to life , adversity offers us the chance to grow.

This growth is generally in the inner growth domain, i.e. spiritual growth. Certain religious minded people feel that people with disability suffer because of their sins. I beg to differ.

In fact, I feel blessed or the chosen one. Just like what Matthew Henry said "Extra ordinary afflictions are not always the punishment for extraordinary sins, but sometimes the trials of extra ordinary graces.."

This is true in my case. I feel the adversity - in my case dystrophy, has helped me grow more. I can say that I am more alive today than before becoming disabled.

"If an obstacle is put in our path, it is only to prevent us from going the wrong way, and to guide us into what is for us the only right path.." Henry T. Hamblin

Had I not become disabled, I would have probably still be with all my vices and not happy. I feel god has chosen my for a mission and that adversity is a part of that plan. Even, Jesus had to undergo various adversities.

So whats the big deal. I see adversity as God's confidence in me, that I shall transcend them.

Action and God

Peace Pilgrim say "There is a relationship between prayer and action. Receptive prayer results in the inner receiving which motivates to right action...". In my own life I follow this principle. I pray that God gives me the understanding of what is expected of me for the day and I receive the guidance.

I never complain, and try my level best to do what has to be done. We must do what we can. Good thoughts are useless if they are not followed by action. Remember what Theodore Roosevelt said "Do what you can, with what you have,where you are.."

Jesus Christ told us the good news about our loving God and what was expected of us. Most important thing is that Jesus showed us the way by this thoughts and most importantly by

action.

Action is the single most effective anti-depressant particularly for persons with disability.

Acceptance and God

James W. Riley said " When God sends rain.... rain is my choice...". This is what I call acceptance. When we accept that things happen according to God's plan, we align our goals with him.

There is no point in arguing about the rain. Make the most of what such a day offers. I have dystrophy and hence have been constrained physically. I have accepted this with open arms. God has a plan for me and that involves me being disabled.

Many people think it is a sign of weakness to accept things. But I feel, it is the sign of strength of faith and God. Acceptance has to be a conscious choice. "Acceptance is a letting-go process. You let go of you wishes and demands that life can be different" - to quote Gary Emery.

When we accept God's will for us, our life becomes purposeful, fulfilling and happier. And we must remember, Jesus Christ, is there to guide you on the way.
Just like abundance , you have to have acceptance of life as it is, in your life.

(refer post: http://disabilitywithchrist.blogspot.com/2008/01/abundance-and-god.html)

Relationship with Christ

Yesterday I visited a page by Shelly Weiss about Living with Disability. I was happy to note that there was some one like me, who was happy and feeling proud to have a special relationship with Jesus Christ.

She has articulated her thoughts clearly. Her thoughts on non-discrimination resonated with my own thoughts.

I was happy, that someone wrote of their special relationship with Jesus Christ and how it is helping them to live with disability. I feel we can face any kind of challenges, if we are true to the faith and have the special mentor in Jesus Christ.

I shall post the link to the article, when I find it.

Surrender to God

Let me quote from the Bible, particularly Romans 6:13 "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God."

This is very interesting. It asks us to yield to the wishes of God. When we understand surrender, we feel like a loser. It need not be that way. When we surrender to God completely, then in fast we are on the winning side. I understand that surrendering to God means being HIS slave.

We do not like any form of slavery (given our experience with it). but this is no human slavery but a divine one. We are ready to be servants, but not slaves. When we are servants, we want to serve two masters - God and money. And we must understand that God accepts only exclusive servitude. When we serve only God, we need serve no other master. It is in absolute surrender to God's will, can we find total freedom in our life.

When we surrender to God, we stay focused on him and thus cannot deviate from our purpose in life. So if one has to surrender in life, why not surrender to God instead of disability or other human problems

Spirit of Giving and Disability

It is the festive season. Christmas the festival of sharing and giving. Many people feel that they have nothing to give because of their physical condition. Disability is not a deterrent to giving. You only have to think about how you can give and you will receive guidance.

Let me share my experience about giving. I have dystrophy and thus do not leave my house. Physically I can't give any thing. What I feel is that we can only give that which we have got. Hence, I give my time and unconditional attention to all those who want it. Giving for me is not about money or things. Giving also has to be unconditional. Another name for giving is also Love for me.

God gives me because of his grace, not because I deserve it or I have earned it. In the spirit of the season, start giving. If you have no one to share your giving, say a silent prayer for some one. Bless someone good health and happiness.

Wishing you all A Merry Christmas and Happy and fulfilling purposeful life. Amen.

God-centered Living

If one has to be liberated in the true sense, then one must start living a life focused on God. As human beings we feel that we are a body. But truth is that we are souls whose ultimate aim is to unite with our heavenly father.

If we live thinking that we are the body and get attached to it, then we are in big trouble. This kind of thinking is called as body-centered living. If you are a body, then you can be disabled. But if you are a Soul, then you can never be disabled.

When you start thinking only of God and how you can fulfill his plan for you, then you begin to live in a God centered life. The best liberation from physical disability of the body is the focused attention on God's plan for us.

How do we understand God's plan for us ? We don't understand. But by being focused on God we will be guided to fulfill our divine task in this human life.

Fighting Spirit and God

People are amazed with the way I live with dystrophy. They say that I have a fighting spirit. But I beg to differ. The reason I am happy is because I know that I am not my body.

When one starts identifying with their body they feel miserable if they get disabled. I know that I am a soul having an experience of the human body this life time. I have been created by God in my mothers womb with a specific purpose in this life.

What is God's purpose for me ? I don't know. Only thing that I know is that HIS will, shall prevail. So, I try to understand my purpose in life and make it as close to God's purpose for me. I do not fight my disease - dystrophy. I have embraced it with open arms and a loving heart.

May be my purpose in life is to show others that we are more than our bodies. We have a divine mission and purpose. So let us do what God wants us to do - for HE knows what is best for us.

Instead for fighting our situations we should figure out how we can become Christ-like by our every day thoughts and actions and thus move on the spiritual journey to return to our heavenly Father.

Hopeless and Pray more

In 1990, I was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. The day that I was told about it, my mind went into an overdrive. I was told that this disease had no cure and hence there was nothing the doctors could do. So I was thinking about the hopelessness of my situation and how to deal with it.

I could have gone into depression. But somehow, I started to think about what I could do. And a thought came to my mind, that when the situation is hopeless - then pray more. So I started, saying a silent prayer asking God to give me guidance about living life with dystrophy.

To my amazement, I received my guidance in form of a feeling that Jesus was looking at me and calling me to his way. I was always a believer but not a ritualistic person. So I decided that to live with dystrophy/ disability by adhering to the Christian values.

So I always tell people when it is hopeless - pray more for divine guidance.