Joni Eareckson Tada

Do you ever feel like you are not worthy? Do you feel like there’s no hope in your life? Do you feel like your physical disabilities will limit you in reaching your dreams? Then these two inspiring advocates, Joni Eareckson Tada and Nick Vujicic, will give you a glimpse of hope that you could have never imagined on your own.

Joni Eareckson Tada went through a very depressing time in her life. When she was 17-years-old, she had an accident that left her paralyzed from the shoulders down. But God works in ways we cannot see. He has used Joni’s disabilities to wonderfully bless so many people.

She became an advocate for people with disabilities, and founded the “Joni & Friends” foundation which aims to share the hope of the Gospel and give practical help to people impacted by disabilities worldwide. In the Facebook LIVE video below, Joni, and the founder of “Life without Limbs,” (Nick Vujicic) share an inspiring message to all those who have physical disabilities.

Joni shares that disabilities don’t determine our value.

We are all made in the likeness and image of God. We are all fearfully and wonderfully made. He determines our value.

When Nick asks Joni about her struggles, especially in dealing with her value, Joni boldly answers, “My body may be broken, but oh my goodness, I am a God reflector. I mirror our amazing God who was pleased to make me in His image. That – to me – is awesome!”

“Our value is directly related to what we think about God. It’s anchored in the fact that God made us. It’s all directed with the price that is paid for us,” she adds.

You were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies (See 1 Corinthians 6:20).

Joni also reminds viewers, especially those who believe they aren’t worthy, to think about God and what He paid for all of us.

Nick also shares his personal experience in dealing with his physical struggles. He went through depression and attempted suicide at age 10 until he encountered God by reading John 9.

“All these years, I asked God, ‘What’s your plan?’ But if He told us His plan, then why would we need faith? And that’s the journey, where we need our soul, our spirit, and our mind restored to really believe that these earthly bodies are just a vapor, and before we know it, we’re going to be up there.” Nick says.

Nick inspires viewers by reminding them to have hope despite their physical limitations.

“The only way we can accept our limitations, whether great or small, is to recognize that we are created equal. And we’re all created equal in that we’re all born into original sin.” Joni passionately shares.

Joni admits that she once said, “When I get to Heaven, I’m going to kick this wheelchair to Hell.”

But because of what God did in her life, Joni’s perspective has shifted: “Now, I think, ‘this is the tool that God used to shape me and change me and make me more like Him,’” she said. “It’s my companion. It’s a dark, scary companion at times, but it’s been His choicest way of transforming my life to be like Jesus. I know my wheelchair won’t be in Heaven, literally, but somehow, someway, I’m going to wear … something that indicates that courage you might see in me. Guess what, it came from my disability and years of dealing with those tough limitations.”

Nick and Joni’s lives are powerful testimonies that God can turn the negative things in your life into beautiful blessings. He is the God without limits, and because of that, He can do all things if we only believe and have faith. If God was able to do great things in Joni and Nicks’s life, then He is able to do amazing miracles in your life too.

Credits: Joni Eareckson Tada

This article was compiled by Kriza Jo L. Tanduyan.