Autism: Accepting the Good and the Bad

Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?

Job 2:10 (NIV)

            “Your son has autism.”

            My husband and I stare at the doctor, sitting across from us. Her face is a blank canvas, void of emotion. I imagine there’s no easy way for physicians to tell parents their child has autism spectrum disorder. Yet the words are like a punch in the sternum, and I can’t seem to catch my breath.

The diagnosis is bittersweet. Bitter because of all it entails. Sweet because we finally have an answer and can focus on getting him the treatments and therapies he needs.

            The good and the bad. They often go hand in hand. Faith in God does not guarantee mountaintop experiences, one after the other. On the contrary, God often leads us into the valley to stretch our faith, teach us spiritual lessons or reveal His loving care towards us in a very personal way.

            I love Job’s perspective in the midst of so much loss; not only does he refuse to curse God, but he affirms God’s sovereignty and authority over his life. Job’s complete submission to God’s Almighty hand reveal a heart and mind that are fully surrendered to God, no matter the cost.

            This does not mean we should have a defeatist attitude or deny ourselves the right to grieve. Job’s grief was intense and it was public. He didn’t hold back the tears or shrug it off. No, he allowed himself to mourn the loss of his children, his workers, and his possessions. It’s important we do the same, acknowledging our own pain and all the losses that accompany a heart-wrenching diagnosis.

But we also need to reach a point when we can honestly say “God knows this, God allowed this, and God will get me through this.” May our surrender always speak louder than our struggle.