When I was two years old, I was diagnosed with retinoblastoma. It’s a type of cancer where tumors grow on the back of your eye (on the retina). Because of the size and placement of one of the tumors, the safest thing to do was remove my right eye. So I have lived most of my life with a prosthetic.
Because I was so young, I easily adapted to being blind in one eye. There are times when I forget that I’m not “normal” but at other times, it’s painfully obvious. Like when my best friend called me a cyclops in 3rd grade. Or anytime I look in the mirror…
I have shared my story online, and in my book, “Mirror Mirror… Am I Beautiful?” but last week I was invited to be part of a panel that discussed reclaiming our identity after a serious illness or disability. You see, my story isn’t all that unique. Yes, it’s mine. But while my circumstances may be different, so many of us face illnesses or have disabilities that change our lives.
Even with those circumstances we can’t change, we do have the choice of whether or not we will let our circumstances break us. We can chose to find our true identity at the foot of the cross and use our circumstances for the glory of God. It took me quite a few years to learn that lesson, but it’s definitely a lesson worth learning.
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A special thanks to April Boyer from Resting In His Shadow for hosting this panel.
22 Comments
I am guilty of this, I let my circumstances decide if I will have a good day or a bad day, after reading this I am going to make that change
It’s a hard lesson to learn, Terri, but I think it’s one we all struggle with… no matter what our circumstances are.
Heather Hart recently posted…Standing Against Satan at the Foot of the Cross
Have you read “Beauty, When the Other Dancer is the Self”. Alice Walker wrote it about what losing the sight in her eye meant to her and how she came to terms with it. Your story reminds me of that essay.
I haven’t, Alice. I’ll look it up. Thanks!
Heather Hart recently posted…The Beautiful Chaos of Summer
Circumstances shouldn’t be allowed to define us – God is what matters!
That can be a hard lesson to learn though, Andrea.
Heather Hart recently posted…Standing Against Satan at the Foot of the Cross
How mean that your friend would call you a Cyclops when you couldn’t do anything about it. Kids can be so mean…
They really can be, Susan. But we were so little, I don’t think she really understood the impact of her words.
Heather Hart recently posted…Standing Against Satan at the Foot of the Cross
I love the title of your post. It is a good reminder to be careful not to let our circumstances define us. I want my identity to be in Christ alone.
Yes and amen, Amy! Thanks for stopping in.
Heather Hart recently posted…Stuck in a Rut? 3 Steps to Spiritual Growth
Heather, I commented on the actual post, Sorry. It was a great article and so informative for those of us who don’t struggle with these sorts of disabilities. Thanks for sharing! – Amy
Thanks, Amy!
Heather Hart recently posted…The Beautiful Chaos of Summer
I have a bad habit of letting my emotions and circumstances guide how I react. I have been working so hard to leave my concerns with Jesus and not let things break me down, but it is hard. Very good post, I am glad that you have not let this “break” you!
Our emotions would run a muck if we gave them free reign, wouldn’t they, Heather? It can be hard to leave our concerns with Jesus and not pick them pack up, but life is so much better when we do.
Heather Hart recently posted…Let’s Be Real (we all struggle with something)
This is where the old trusty Philippians 4:8 comes in handy! 😀 It’s so easy to let our thoughts become consumed with our circumstances, but if we re-align our minds to what is good and true and lovely, it makes our troubles seem so much less significant!
Yes! Our mindset matters. What we focus on determines our perspective.
Heather Hart recently posted…Whitewashed Christianity
It is so easy to fall into the trap of letting circumstances define us. Sometimes I feel like I have some sort of a handle on this, but sometimes I am blindsided by how much I let circumstances get to me. Thank you for the reminder and encouragement.
It’s one of those things we definitely have to stay aware of, isn’t it, Christia?
Heather Hart recently posted…Stuck in a Rut? 3 Steps to Spiritual Growth
Very powerful! Yes, we don’t have to let our circumstances break us but we have to choose to take them to God instead.
Yes and Amen! So thankful for Jesus.
Heather Hart recently posted…Summer Schedules & Jesus
I have experienced having a chronic illness change everything I thought was me… but I’m learning that the things I lost do not define me, and finding more of my identity in Christ.
Good for you, Maria. Life is so full of ups and downs. The only thing we can really rely on to stay constant is Jesus.
Heather Hart recently posted…Standing Against Satan at the Foot of the Cross