It’s the natural question when we are trying to find meaning in difficulties or wanting to understand why God would allow us or a loved one to suffer in pain.

Why did this happen?

My daughter Carly has Angelman Syndrome. She is 26 years old and expresses undaunted unconditional love on a daily basis. Her smiles and laughs are infectious. Her perseverance inspires many to never give up. Her snuggles are among our most cherished gifts.

Carly also struggles mightily with medical problems, developmental challenges and mental health issues. Angelman Syndrome has caused Carly great suffering and been tremendously challenging for our family.

We have wanted to understand why.

Soon after she was diagnosed as a toddler, we were on a quest to know what the Bible has to say about disability, suffering and healing. Though Larry and I were already fairly well acquainted with the Bible at that point, neither one of us knew much about these particular topics.

The question “why did this happen?” plagues many parents when their child is born with disabilities or a loved one struggles with complex health concerns. The ”whys” and “what ifs” loom especially heavily when suffering results from an accident.

I used to wonder if my stress levels contributed to the errors in the chromosome reduction process that resulted in that missing gene on Carly’s 15^th chromosome.

I know some moms who carry a sense of guilt about their child’s condition. Some parents wonder things like, should I have eaten better or taken a different multi-vitamin when I was pregnant? Did I drink too much? Did my spouse drink too much? Am I being punished for not being good enough? Yes, some parents, siblings, and spouses wonder if their loved one’s disabilities are a consequence of their sin.

Unfortunately, we fall under the scrutinizing eyes of others too. Even some well-meaning Christians have suggested that our daughter’s seizures or other issues are the result of sin. This interpretation of suffering is not unique to our generation.

John 9:1-2 says, “As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, ‘why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?’”

There is an accuser who lies to us, steals our joy, and aims to convince us we are defeated. This enemy takes special pleasure in throwing shame. God, on the other hand, doesn’t condemn.

Romans 8:1
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

We might have to wait until heaven to hear specific answers to our “Why?” questions. But, in the meantime, children of God can rest on deeply reassuring facts.

The first is this. You are not condemned.

Chapter 9 of John’s Gospel opens a huge window into this reality. The disciples asked the Why question packed with judgement and misunderstanding. Jesus’ response reveals Almighty God’s gracious heart, character, and purposes. Through the window of John 9:3, Jesus blows tremendously refreshing wind!

John 9:3
“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. 

There it is. The disability was for God’s glory.

In one simple response, Jesus accomplished so much. As he was so good at doing, Jesus sifted through dilemmas to reveal truths, values and principles. For example, Jesus’ reply in John 9:3 was laying a foundation for the value of life and personal dignity.

Jesus elevated His authority and good design while defending the value of all life.

The book Disability and the Sovereign Goodness of God includes four of Pastor John Piper’s sermons about disability and a conversation with our friend, John Knight, whose son has disabilities. In one of those sermons, John Piper explains,”The truth is that suffering can only have ultimate meaning in relation to God. Jesus says that the purpose of blindness is to put the work of God on display. This means that for our suffering to have ultimate meaning, God must be supremely valuable to us. More valuable than health and life. Many things in the Bible make no sense until God becomes your supreme value.”

The blind man waited some considerable portion of his life before healing came. His parents waited that long too. The community also saw this man waiting for hope. And then, at just the right time, Jesus released healing power:

We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.” Then Jesus spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes. He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “sent”). So, the man went and washed and came back seeing!
John 9:4-7

We don’t know how old the blind man was. We know he was blind from birth and that he was of a certain age to be considered a man. We also know that onlookers recalled seeing him sitting and begging for some period of time (John 9:8).

In other words, the healing came after a time when many people would have witnessed this man’s needs. The healing came in God’s perfect time, for God’s perfect purposes.

My dear husband Larry absorbed fresh treasure from John 9 when his soul needed special encouragement as an overwhelmed caregiving dad. In reading the passage, it was as if God highlighted personally for him that Jesus was affirming the parents of the blind man too.

Jesus’ reply includes people with disabilities as well as those caregivers who have concerns, sorrows or overwhelm in caring for them.

The caregiving life can bring weights and freedoms simultaneously — weariness and grace, depletion and fullness. Your caring for your loved one makes unconditional love visible to a world that sees it so infrequently. Your caring for your loved one shines a spotlight on the value of life. Your caring for your loved one reminds us all that weakness is a venue for God’s perfecting work.

The mystery and reassurances found in John 9 are echoed throughout God’s Word. Check out our “8 Truths” blog highlighting more of God’s values related to disability as well as specific ways He is glorified when there is disability or suffering.

RELATED: 8 Truths About Disability & Relationships

The inspiration for today’s graphic series is drawn from another poignant quote from Pastor John Piper:

“Healing displays the works of God in John 9, and sustaining grace displays the works of God in 2 Corinthians 12. What is common in the two cases is the supreme value of the glory of God. The blindness is for the glory of God. The thorn in the flesh is for the glory of God. The healing is for His glory, and the non-healing is for His glory.”

I am so thankful for pastors who courageously preach on these tough subjects. In the early days of Carly’s life, it was not easy to find authors sharing biblical truth and encouragement for special needs parents and family caregivers. I am so thankful for today’s growing plethora of navigators to help mine the gold of scripture and learn what God has to say.

May God enlighten and encourage you with reliable sources and true answers to your questions.

Heavenly Father, I confess that I don’t always know which to pray for — healing or the strength of faith to endure while waiting for Your ultimate healing. When you do call me to wait and serve, strengthen me for the opportunities of caregiving. Empower me to be an instrument of Your healing and peace as I minister to those who depend on me. Renew my mind with confidence that my trials are God-purposed and You are powerfully near me in them. Help me to align my body, mind, spirit and choices with your holiness. Help me walk alongside others in ways that uphold life, human dignity and the glory of who You are. AMEN

1 Peter 4:12-13
Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

Download “Disability and the Sovereign Goodness of God” for FREE here.

Lisa Jamieson is an author, speaker, special needs family advocate, and pastoral counselor. She is co-founder of Walk Right In Ministries where she trains and counsels family caregivers to walk abundantly in life, faith, and relationships. Lisa and her husband, Larry, live in Minnesota with the youngest of their three grown daughters, Carly, who has Angelman Syndrome.