Most of us ask ourselves these kinds of questions. Often, we focus only on what we lack, overlooking the unique gifts and abilities we do possess. We see only our shortcomings, while God may see a different kind of strength.
History and our own communities show us people who have turned what the world calls a disability into a remarkable ability.
My friend Gopi, from Ambalappara near Ottapalam, had sight in his early years but later lost it. Though he lives without physical vision, he now guides many on the path of truth with his inner sight. He often speaks of a profound joy and purpose that fills his life.
Then there is Helen Keller, who was both deaf and blind from infancy. She faced immense isolation and frustration. Yet, through education, relentless advocacy, and profound resilience, she overcame these barriers to become a global icon for human dignity and disability rights. She once said, “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched—they must be felt with the heart.”
We find a similar question in the Gospel of John. Jesus meets a man blind from birth. His disciples ask a question that has haunted humanity for centuries: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2).
So often, we are like those disciples. We look at someone’s suffering and want to find a reason, a cause to blame. We seek to solve a theological puzzle rather than to offer compassionate love. But Jesus cut through all of that. He understood the man’s true need. His reply was revolutionary:
“It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:3)
After saying this, Jesus did not walk away. He stayed and healed the man, demonstrating that what the world saw as a tragic punishment was, in God’s hands, an opportunity for divine glory to be revealed.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly sought out and healed those who could not see:
He heard the desperate cry of blind Bartimaeus—“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”—and restored his sight (Mark 10:46-52).
He touched the eyes of two blind men, saying, “According to your faith let it be done to you” (Matthew 9:27-30).
He used simple mud and His own saliva to open the eyes of the man born blind, showing that God can use the most ordinary things for His extraordinary purposes (John 9:6-7).
In every case, Jesus saw the person, not the problem. He saw a chance to show God’s love, not a chance to assign blame.
Sarah, the mother of a visually impaired daughter, shares this:
“When my daughter was born blind, I asked God ‘Why?’ just like the disciples did. But through the years, I have witnessed a different kind of sight in my child—an insight into people’s hearts, a spiritual perception that often surpasses what physical eyes can see. She has taught our family to ‘see’ what truly matters: love, kindness, and faith. In her limitations, God’s strength has been made perfect.”
While Jesus performed miraculous physical healings, He came to offer a healing that goes even deeper—healing for the soul. He declared:
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
Jesus understands our deepest sufferings. The prophet Isaiah called Him “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). He does not always give us an explanation for our pain, but He gives us something greater: Himself. He enters into our suffering with us and, through His own death and resurrection, has overcome the world.
Whatever challenges you face—whether caring for a special child, grieving a loss, or wrestling with unanswered questions—Jesus offers you three certainties:
His Companionship in Suffering: “I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:20)
His Strength for Today: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
His Hope for Eternity: A promise of a new creation where “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore.” (Revelation 21:4)
Your child—and your family—are not mistakes. You are not being punished. You are loved with an “everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3). In God’s kingdom, the values of this world are overturned: “the last will be first” (Matthew 20:16), and those who seem weak are strong in Him.
Loving God, who formed this child with purpose and love, thank You that You see not disability, but belovedness. When we are weary, give us strength. When we are afraid, give us peace. Help us to see our child as You see them. Open the eyes of our hearts to recognize Your faithful presence with us every single day. Lead our family into the light of Your grace.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
