I just finished the book "Life without Limits" by Nick Vujicic
This book has helped me in so many ways. When I read it, it was very encouraging to me and my situation in life. Nick was born without arms or legs. Nick went through some challenging times where he was trying to accept himself and how God made him. He was angry at God. But as time went on he went through some things that helped him learn to love and accept who he is.
I think we all go through times in our lives where we question God, "why?" as well. I know for sure I have. When I finally understood that I had my disability I didn’t like to talk about it at all. I found encouragement in Nick's book to find out who you are. Because Nick was born without arms or legs, people had to always help him with everything. Whether it was to get a drink, brush his teeth, get dressed he would get frustrated with his constant need for others because he wanted to be more independent. Eventually, he figured out ways to do more things on his own like brushing his teeth, taking a shower, brushing his hair etc. Instead of getting frustrated about his dependent circumstances, he found out ways to deal and cope with it.
Here is something from his book I would like to share with you:
“Looking back at all I had to overcome at such a young age -the pain, the insecurity, the hurt, the loneliness- I don’t feel sad. I feel humbled and grateful because I overcame those challenges that make my successes all the sweeter. In the end, they made me stronger, and, more important, they made me better equipped to reach out to others. Without my pain, I would never be able to help anybody else deal with their pain. I wouldn’t be able to relate so well with other people” Nick Vujicic "Life without Limits"
I always like to say what Nick was explaining in his book; "God has us go through trials to make us stronger". I relate to Nick in so many ways. Just like Nick, I feel grateful that I go through some trials with my disability. When I felt sick every day and was unable to eat, going through surgery, having unexpected seizures, losing 14 pounds in a month because I couldn’t eat, always laying in bed my parents said I was turning gray, dealing with severe anxiety etc.these were my trials. Through my disability, 22q Deletion Syndrome, and going through all that stuff helps me relate with other people with 22q. I can write and encourage others so that others won’t have to go through the pain and feel alone and hopeless. I aim to help ease their pain and give them encouragement. I love to encourage others. It makes me feel good and knowing that I am helping other people, and it is all that really matters. God knew what He was doing through all our struggles. Though we didn’t understand at the time why we were going through hardship, God did. The bible says;
“We must go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God” Acts 14:22
In another part of Nick’s book, a friend of Nick said;
“Nick, if you’d been born with arms and legs, I don’t think you would be as successful as you will become without them one day, how many kids would listen to you if they couldn’t see right away that you have turned what should have been an incredible negative into something so positive”. “Remember those words when you experience challenges," Nick says, ”For every blocked path, there is an open one. For every 'disability' there is an 'ability'. "
“Sometimes you may feel like you are just about to realize your goal only to fall short. That is no reason to quit. Defeat happens only to those who refuse to try again. I still believe that one day I will be able to walk and lift and hold utensils like a regular person. It will be a miracle when that happens, whether God does it on His own or through his agents on earth.”
When Nick was talking about this you can see that Nick has hope. Hope in the future and hope for all eternity in Heaven. God has helped Nick see that even with his disability he believes he will be whole again someday and have arms and legs. Which he will. He may not in this life, but he is not going throughout his whole life wishing his life was different. God has changed that for Nick. Nick is living a very happy life. He is living his life to its fullest. “I came so that they may have life and live it abundantly” John 10:10. Still, I sometimes do feel discouraged with my disability because there are some things that I can’t do and still struggle with. However, I believe 100% that God can help me, and everyone else, to become the best versions of ourselves. Disability or not. God has taught me to love myself even with a disability. When I get to heaven and will be transformed into Jesus’ image I don’t know if I would want my disability to go away. It’s who God made me to be, just as Nick and everyone else who has a disability. But I know the situations are different with everyone.
I encourage you to read this book. It’s good for everyone, whether you have a disability or not. We can all learn from the attitude Nick has throughout his challenges. In the face of severe challenges, Nick chose to be positive and put his hope in God. Can you imagine living a life without limbs? What attitude would you choose? Would you choose to be angry or sad with your life or choose to live life to its fullest? God intended a joyful life for all of us. Think about the challenges in your life right now. Could you stand to be more positive and put all your hope in God?