Loss of Respect

Luke 12:6-7 - Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

There I was. Just driving to work thinking it was another ordinary day. Little did I know that this would be the day my life changed forever.
 
Many times I wished that I had just called in sick that day. But that wouldn’t have helped, because I couldn’t predict that day would turn into a nightmare.
 
So here I am living with chronic pain. It doesn’t go away. It’s like as if I’m married to my symptoms. They can pull be down and make me listen to my body. I’m learning, but I still struggle with respecting myself.
 
I had been on track to go back to college and get my teaching credential. That didn’t happen. Even after surgery, I wasn’t myself. And when I developed a painful disease it hit me, “If I can’t work what good am I?”
 
Years later, when I was able to go back to work, a chronic disease shut the door on me again and my doctor pulled me from working.
 
It had been the best job I ever had and I was good at it. Once again I asked myself the question, “If I can’t work what good am I?”
 
A lot of times when we speak about respect it is in reference to respecting someone else and being proud of their accomplishments. But even close friends and family can lose the respect they have for you, because you no longer can do what you used to be able to.
 
What we have to remember is that if we don’t respect ourselves how can we expect anyone else to?
 
Take a look at the Bible verses above. When Jesus was speaking to a crowd he tried to show them the value God placed on their lives. He even knows how many hairs you have on your head. God does value you and wants you to see yourself as worthy to him and to the world.
 
Each of us, who have been labeled “disabled”, don’t have to stay where we are. Each person alive has something to give back. Some gift. Something they’re good at.
 
Maybe you’re a good listener and people often call you knowing that at least one person will listen to them. Or perhaps you’re gifted in art, but never had the chance while you were working to pursue it. And you could also become like me – trying to make a difference in the world by sending encouragement through my website, Facebook Group and Twitter.
 
Though the above actions aren’t always seen as much, they are. Find what you’re good at and go for it. People will begin to respect you again, not because you have a certain job, but because you are an example of an over comer. And most importantly – you’ll begin to respect yourself once more.
 
Select the link below and learn how people with disabilities still have a lot the world can learn from them.

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