Autism and Why
Disabilies and God
The Bible constantly talks about the disabled. In the Old Testament, Israel is called upon to take care of their disabled, orphans and widows (Too many places to mention). In the New Testament, Jesus instructs the disciples to do the same, care for the disabled, orphans and widows. Jesus’ ministry on earth was spent healing the disabled, i.e., the blind, the lame, the mentally ill, etc. God loves the disabled. God loves those who have autism.
There are many examples of God’s love for the disabled. One example, is Luke 14:15-24, the parable of the Great Supper. Jesus explains the ruler rejects the rich and powerful. He calls his servants to go out and bring in the poor and the disabled to attend His Great Supper. The parable is about the ruler, God, who gathers His people to him when Christ returns. The people he gathers are not the rich and wealthy but the poor and disabled. God loves the disabled people, he cares for them. Perhaps one of the church’s greatest failings is not enough effort is spent on calling in the disabled.
Autism and Why
‘Why?’ is a common question we ask ourselves and a question we especially demand of God. Occasionally, we may find an answer as we reflect back over the events. Most of the time, we don’t know why. God does not answer to us, we answer to Him. To think otherwise is arrogant and to not understand God (see 1Peter 2:21). Below are some possible reasons why.
Random
Some scholars believe, God set us up creation ruled by laws and order such as gravity for example. God does not interfere with this order. Events such as natural disasters, autism, etc, are random events. There is no reason or rhyme to these events, they just happen. God is only found in the aftermath of such events in shaping us and helping us through the traumas of life. God helps us through the events through prayer and strengthening our character to with stand these random events.
Character Building
There are some reasons we are given in Scripture such as to build character. Being the parent or carer of a child with autism certainly challenges us, builds our character, and forges us into better people. God uses these challenges to promote in us love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This list is commonly known as the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22). Few would argue against the challenges of parenting ASD children improve parents and carers character over many years. While we may feel the pain and suffering is not worth it, God certainly does. God thinks in terms of sanctification, that is, the perfecting of our character to become like Christ. God thinks in eternity, we think in minutes, hours, days, weeks and years. Our perspective is minuscule in comparison to the perspective God has.
Corruption
One reason put forward is corruption. Autism is not part of God’s perfect order. Humanity has free will and as such has caused the corruption of our world. While the cause of autism is unknown, researches may discover a reason for autism, which points to humanity’s own failing rather than God’s fault. In God’s world, He created perfect order (Genesis 1-2). In our world, we have created disorder. We may discover in time, autism is humanity’s fault. Things like communal sin, the Fall and other events all play a role.
Personal Sin
Another reason put forth on occasion is autism is a result of our sin. I think the quickest response to this line of thought is John 9:1-3, the disciples ask if a blind man they encounter is blind as a result of his parents or his own sin. Jesus replied, ‘Neither this man nor his parents, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.’ God has used ASD’s for the betterment of humanity not to punish humanity. In particular, those with Asperger’s syndrome have profoundly impacted humanity. The contributions by Bill Gates (Microsoft) and Einstein are just two examples. The single mindedness and anti-social aspects of Asperger’s syndrome have led some of humanity’s greatest minds to focus on single theories, discoveries, inventions and creations. ASD individuals have been at the forefront of sciences and culture, and number many of our greatest minds. Is your ASD child, the next savant of the world?
Compensation
Another train of thought is, God compensates us for our suffering, for example, in Job 42, Job is greatly rewarded for his suffering which God allowed Satan to afflict Job with. Joseph ended up greatly rewarded with a rich and powerful later life as recompense for his early suffering (Genesis 51:37-57). While this may not always seem the case, other things are far more important to us than riches. Many of us are blessed in many other ways.
God’s interaction through Autism For Christian parents and carers of ASD children, the main thing, we see in our suffering is God’s interaction with us. God is not immune to suffering with us, neither is God a God, who has not suffered. Christ on the Cross and his sufferings are the ultimate example and sacrifice of suffering. God shares our suffering. God is not a God, who observes from afar, but from an intimate vantage point, engaging us in our suffering. Prayer can be a great comfort and place to encounter God. Worship is another avenue, as is spending time focusing on God in His Word, the Bible.
Concluding Thoughts These are a few reasons, a good search will reveal many more theories. There is an old cliche, God works in mysterious ways. A better phrase may be, ‘God’s ways are a mystery to us.’ The reason God allows Autism is not known for certain. Only theories and possibilities remain. However, this doesn’t mean God is to blame.
Jesus did not go around accusing or condemning people with disabilities. Neither did Jesus say why people had disabilities. His example was to walk around helping those with disabilities and trying to turn people from doing wrong.
You may not like your situation, but blaming God is not a solution, but a loss. To blame God is to miss God among the suffering. To blame God is to turn your back on blessings you can never envisage. To blame God is to live in a state of lost hope and inner torment. God does not hate you, if He did, He can torment you in far worse ways. God loves you (John 3:16). He wants an intimate relationship with you. Embrace God and His salvation. Do it today.
Autism and healing
God is our great healer. While there is no earthly cure for autism, God can and has healed autism in ASD children. The cases aren’t many but there are documented cases within the Church. The son of TV evangelist Pastor Stovall Weems of Celebration Church in Jackson, Florida, is one prominent example. The Gospel accounts contain many examples of Jesus healing. In Acts, we see the disciples healing. There are also accounts in the Old Testament of instant healings. There are far too many references to enter here. God is a God of healing.
Even Jesus didn’t heal everyone instantly. This is a trend we are seeing with ASD children, gradual healing. In Mark 8:22-25, Jesus heals the blind man gradually. When God uses Elijah to heal the widow's son, Elijah needs to act three times to restore the child in 1Kings 17:17-24. In 1Kings 18:41-46, highlights another instance where God works gradually. Camp Autism associate, Sam Hayes, has a son, who was gradually healed of autism.
Sometimes, God does not heal. We do not always understand why God doesn’t heal. Sometimes it is lack of faith. In 2Corinthians 12:7, Paul suffers a thorn in his side. While this thorn is not a literal thorn, the response is relevant, God’s grace is sufficient. Another reason is, God uses autism to reveal His power at a later date. God may use autism to bring about change in other people. There are many possible reasons and often we just don’t know why. No healing will definitely be the result if we do not try.