God and Autism

I hear a lot of people make statements about God and autism. I’ve heard things like:   “Autism is a gift from God.”   “If God is loving, how could he make people suffer with autism (and other afflictions)” “Autism is a punishment from God” There are many other statements along these lines. I just would like to state my position on statements like these. I believe in and love God. Not only is God a loving God, he actually is love. (1 John 4:8) I cannot imagine making it through this life without God. Autism is not a punishment from God. It is also not a gift from God. We live in a fallen world. The Bible specifically tells us we will experience pain, illness, trials, and tribulations. (1 Peter 1:6, John 16:33) No one on earth is exempt from that. Autism is one of the hardships that some people in this world will have to experience, either themselves or through watching a love one suffer through it. That does not make God less loving; it makes this world hard and imperfect. Yes, some people are healed, just like some people are healed from cancer. And others are never healed in this world. But I believe God has a plan that we don’t understand. (Jeremiah 29:11) I know one day Ashley will be healed, whether on earth or when she gets to heaven. I cannot wait to speak to her and be with her then. In the mean time, I will continue to believe. I will do everything to protect and help Ashley. I will pray for her, and know that one day all the promises will happen. In the meantime, I will see the blessings that occur around and through Ashley. I will give God the respect and glory that He deserves. (1 Corinthians 10:31) Like us on Facebook Originally posted February 2012