We also learned that our attitude about someone or their disability will determine our action, or how we behave toward that person and their disability. If you see someone with a disability and think they aren’t “normal” because they aren’t able to do something like you, then you won’t treat them as a regular person.
So, what is the right attitude to have toward disabilities, and people who have disabilities?
Each of us is designed on purpose and for a purpose.
God says in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.”
This verse means that each of us has been designed and created by God on purpose and for a specific purpose- even people with disabilities! He calls us His “masterpiece” and has good things for us to do.
On Purpose
You might wonder, “Is a person’s disability on purpose too?” Why would God allow someone to have a disability? These are not silly questions at all. People asked Jesus the same question when He was here.
John 9:1-3 says, “As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. ‘Rabbi,’ his disciples asked him, ‘why was this man born blind? Was it because of his sins or his parents’ sins?’ ‘It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,’ Jesus answered. ‘This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.’”
Jesus told His disciples that the man wasn’t blind because he or his parents had done something wrong – his disability (blindness) wasn’t a punishment. God created the man blind so that Jesus could heal him and show everyone His power as the Son of God! You see, Jesus has a plan for people who have a disability, and they are all designed and created for a purpose too – just like you!
For Purpose
So, if God created that person’s disability on purpose, what is His purpose FOR their disability? Why would God make someone that couldn’t see, walk, talk or think like everyone else? Do you remember the story in John 9? Jesus said that the disability (blindness) was there “so the power of God could be seen in him.” We are here – each of us – to glorify God, whether we have a disability or not. God wants each of us to
“do good things He planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10) These “good things” will look different for each of us, but God has them for EACH of us to do.