I have read dozens of books, articles and web sites on disability, suffering and the Bible. What you will see below may be the finest piece on disability and the sovereignty of God I have ever read.
It was written by Joe Eaton and is particularly powerful because Joe lives with the permanently disabling condition of spina bifida. Please join me in praising God for the insight and wisdom God has granted Joe, who is just completing his first semester of college.
The Sovereignty of God in Suffering, by Joe Eaton (first posted on Facebook and used with his permission here)
A friend and I were talking a while ago about the sovereignty of God. She asked me how I thought the sovereignty of God related to disability. More specifically, how does believing the doctrine of the sovereignty of God affect my own experience with disability? At the time, my thoughts on the subject I weren’t very well-prepared or well-organized. But I have also been meaning to write some thoughts about this since I started this blog! So, finally, I’ve written some of my thoughts on this subject. I pray that these musings are Bible-saturated and helpful…
An understanding of the sovereignty of God has to start with an understanding of the glory of God. Romans 11:36 says, “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.” In other words, every detail of life is orchestrated for the glory of God. When I say that God is sovereign, I mean that “For those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).” In other words, God has ordained that no matter what happens to those of us who are elect, Christ would get the glory and we would get the joy. When we talk about the sovereignty of God, we have to start there. To believe in the sovereignty of God is to trust Him, that His promises are true and that His purposes are good all the time, whether we understand what He’s doing or not, because He’s always working for His good and our joy.
Well, you might say, it’s great to talk generally about how everything is going to turn out all right for believers, but what will look differently in our lives if we really believe that God is sovereign in our suffering? How does this truth sustain suffering souls? How do hard situations serve to bring us closer to God? Let me tell you that the sovereignty of God is a sustaining and sanctifying reality. I want to put a Biblical body around this idea, and then give you a few practical examples from my own life.
The reason we can have hope in suffering is not because it’s necessarily going to get better when we think it should get better. The reason we can have hope in suffering is because we have the hope of the gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit inside of us! The apostle Paul continually exhorts us, his readers, to have an eternal perspective; namely, to rejoice in our assurance of heaven rather than this earth that is not our home. For example:
Hebrews 13.14 ~ For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.
2 Corinthians 4.17-18 ~ For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Colossians 3.1-3 ~ If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
2 Corinthians 12.10 ~ For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
The common thread through each of these passages is this: we hope in the gospel, not in our circumstances. We hope in Jesus, not people. The end of our hope is not that our suffering is going away in this life necessarily (although it might); the end of our hope is being with Jesus in heaven. We ought to rejoice even in the suffering that God brings into our lives because we know that it will all work for our benefit by bringing us closer to Him!
These truths have changed my life. I’m not saying that I feel like I suffer very much, especially relatively speaking. I’m saying that no matter where we are in life, no matter what challenges God has brought or will bring us through, you and I need an eternal perspective. Both pain and pleasure are meant to point us to the same reality; namely, that Jesus Christ is infinitely beautiful and so much more than enough for our every need. Living for Him, even suffering for Him, is worth every moment of affliction! Why? Because Jesus shows you such beauty in pain, because He is there and He is carrying us through. C.S. Lewis said, “God whispers in our pleasure and screams in our pain.” That is so true.
Further, these verses remind me to hope in the purpose that God has in whatever I’m going through. He has brought so many amazing opportunities into my life that I never would have had if He hadn’t blessed me with a disability. He allowed me to play wheelchair basketball for 11 years, through which I gained many amazing friends! He also blessed me with opportunities to encourage teammates and other athletes with the truth and example of what it means to be transformed by the gospel. I didn’t do it perfectly by any means, but I trust that God worked through me during my time in wheelchair basketball. God has also given me many opportunities to speak at different events about my thoughts on disability and how God has blessed me through it. God has taught me patience in the times when my disability has made life more challenging. He has sanctified me through my disability and I’ve definitely learned to trust Him more!
God has used all of these things to shape my eternal perspective. The sovereignty of God gives my disability a purpose. If God were not sovereign, disability and suffering would be pointless. So I cling to the hope that the God who spoke the universe into existence spoke these “slight, momentary afflictions” into my life for my good.
Disability and suffering and I exist for the glory of God. I pray that in times of suffering and times of pleasure, my life would magnify the One who “died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised (2 Corinthians 5:15).”
Joe, that is simply a beautiful explanation of the hope and joy a Biblical view of God’s sovereignty in suffering brings. You are a gifted writer who speaks out of the very real application of this doctrine. Well done. I thank God for the incredible grace that is evident in your life.
A little of topic, but I like how you so naturally attributed Hebrews to Paul. I do too.
[…] I read yesterday morning from a young man [Joe Eaton] with spina bifida may be the best statement I have ever encountered on this subject. Here is an excerpt: Both pain and pleasure are meant to point us to the same reality; namely, […]
Thank you for this personal testimony and putting it in the Scriptural context – it is full of hope, as is He who gave all for us and is our Hope.
My particular disability is of a different nature, but reading this, and the Scriptures regarding that eternal perspective which you defined so well in both personal and biblical position, is just one more way in which God upholds those who are His, which I always so desperately need to remember.
Bill
Reading your testimony of God’s glory in suffering has been a great help in preparing for a bout of suffering that I am expecting shortly. If it does come then my mind and heart are feasting on Christ and trusting His wonderful purposes through it.
I praise God for you. Thank you for posting this. You are a beast!
Thank you for your sharing, it has encouraged me and solidified what God has been teaching my husband and myself thru’ this period of challenge in our lifes. My husband was diagnosed with Lymphoma 2 weeks ago and in that instant our lifes have changed – amazingly for the better. In this period, how we have treasured the eternal life that Christ has bought for us. Never before have we lived with such understding that we were created for eternity rather than just life on earth. It doesn’t end here, the best is yet to be. This trial has indeed brought us closer to the Lord like never before whether He heals or not. He has taken the fear of death from us as well as a lot of other fears associated with earthly living. Thank you for sharing John, we are blessed.
We are praying for you.
We found this site helpful http://www.holylandprayer.com Check it; maybe it gives you a relief.
God bless you.
I found this post through justin taylor’s blog. Thank you for penning your thoughts. My heart has been encouraged and I love the Lord more after, once again, marveling at his sovereignty and goodness. Yup, he is truly good.
You have wisdom beyond your years that are rooted in Christ. Praise God for His goodness and loving kindness towards you.
You have a great grip of the Lord’s grace in suffering. You might be interested to know that we started a course this year, for which I am responsible, at Dallas Theological Seminary named “A Theology of Suffering, Disability and the Church.” It is a unique course and is available starting in January ONLINE. Anyone interested may check this out at http://www.dts.edu/admissions/onlineeducation/
Thank you for your faithfulness to the Lord in your suffering.
Dr. Larry J. Waters
[…] For the rest of the article, read here […]
[…] I read yesterday morning from a young man with spina bifida may be the best statement I have ever encountered on this subject. Here is an excerpt: Both pain and pleasure are meant to point us to the same reality; namely, […]
[…] Eaton, the young man who wrote the very helpful statement about God’s sovereignty over suffering that was posted on Saturday, was born with spina […]
Thank you for your thoughtful words, Joe. A good dose of truth in the morning is always a good way to face the day. I’m glad I checked in this morning.
[…] 9, 2009 by strengthenedbygrace John Knight, a father of multi-disabled children, blogs about suffering and God’s sovereignty. He […]
[…] 2009 by brandonpugh Read this article by Joe Eaton, who suffers from spina bifida, today on this blog. Here’s an excerpt: The common thread through each of these passages is this: we hope in […]
I simply want to add my voice to all the others thanking you for helping us see our suffering in light of God’s sovereignty and good purposes.
i can relate to the pain and success. my sister passed with
spinal bifida at a very young age. all things come with prayer. it has taken near 50 years for me to realize this.
Joe, your words are definitely Bible-saturated, incredibly helpful, and a wonderful blessing.
[…] 10, 2009 by strengthenedbygrace John Knight, a father of multi-disabled children, blogs about suffering and God’s sovereignty. He […]
Joe, thank you for your words. My son, Alexander, he is 2 ½, and has Spina Bifida. He has limited mobility in his legs, but his heart makes up for it. I just want you to know that I am going to print off what you have written and I will share it with him someday when he is older. I believe that every word that you wrote it true and God inspired and I pray that my son will be encouraged by it the way that I am. May the Lord continue to bless your life in more ways than you could ever imagine, I know that He has already blessed ours beyond what I had ever imagined and it’s not even over yet! 🙂
[…] 12, 2009 by John Knight If you haven’t read Joe Eaton’s statement on disability and the sovereignty of God, please go back and read that first. It is now the third most-read post of the Disability […]
Brother Joe, thank you and God Bless you….you read the Book of Jesus (the Word became Flesh) and received the Promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father….your words made me re-think of my walk, sometimes I get a bad day mixed -up with a good day…a bad day is when I DO NOT focus on Jesus and a God Day is when I feel His presents within me, no matter what the circumstance….You keep Preaching the Word and the the Helper will come…..You give true meaning to the word Thanksgiving….
“You Are Wonderfully Made”
Psalm 139:13-18
Hi Joe,
I am greatly encouraged by your strong faith in Christ Jesus. Thank you for shining such a bright light toward the hope we have in our Lord!
John
[…] can find this article at The Works of God blog. Comment […]
[…] A Young Man’s Testimony to Suffering and the Sovereignty of God (Lord willing, this will end up on the top 5 next year as well. Joe’s testimony is worth […]
[…] in Disability, (A Young Man’s Testimony to Suffering & the Sovereignty of God), originally written by Joe Eaton, (spina bifida) – (ht: John Knight) Possibly related […]
[…] A Young Man’s Testimony to Suffering and the Sovereignty of God […]
John,
I started readng your blog before I officially became a “follower” and this post is what got me “hooked”. I grew up in a home affected by disabilities…my sister has Cerebral Palsy…and my husband and I have been called to go the “special needs” route in our adoption from China. This particular entry touched me deeply, and I actually posted a link on it to my blog back in November. One of my readers runs the “No Hands But Ours” website (http://www.nohandsbutours.com/) which advocates for the adoption of special needs children (particularly from China) and in turn she linked to this post on the “No Hands But Ours” blog. I just wanted to let you know that God has used your blog (and this post in particular) to touch the hearts and lives of many parents who have…or one day will have…a child with medical needs. Thank you.
Many Blessings,
Tara Anderson
Stoked to read that.
Would be interested to know:
Do you pray for healing?
What do you make of passages like John 14.9-14 and Matthew 21.21?
I find it difficult to ask for healing, in the kind of way that expectantly believes in faith that I will receive it, because I know that He’s given it to me to glorify His name.
Thoughts?
[…] A Young Man’s Testimony to Suffering and the Sovereignty of God – Bethlehem College student Joe Eaton (who has spina bifida) writes about his trust in God’s plan even in his disabled condition. […]
[…] one or more of these) The Bible and the pain of infertility (Various resources and experiences) A young mans testimony to suffering and the sovereignty of God (Joe Eaton who lives with the permanently disabling condition of spina bifida, reflects on […]
[…] bad things in life, so we might as well learn to leave with them. Therefore, if they can hear a testimony of how someone worse off than them is handling things, that is (I’m guessing!) a great […]
Am bless by the faith attached in God words, my faith is more stronger through the testimony you shares. God bless you in Jesus mighty name.