by Rev. Angela Taylor Perry, Fort Worth TX
This article is part of our Spring 2021 Breaking Barriers. This installment focuses on race and disability. If you'd like to read more stories from this issue, please subscribe to Breaking Barriers.
These challenges describe my experience of living every day with More Strength—my version of MS, commonly known as multiple sclerosis. As a woman over 65 who is Black, I find that the joys of living with a disability outweigh the list of sorrows I could name.
My strength comes from above and the beauty of God’s holiness goes before me and lights a path for all to follow. The first year of multiple sclerosis motivated me to live with my cup half full instead of half empty.
In other words, I refused to be defeated. All the joys of living with a chronic disease for 35 years have gifted me with a plethora of lovely friends and fantastic opportunities that I would not have experienced without the gift of MS, more strength.
Jesus Christ is my gift from God the Father. He is my rock, my refuge, my salvation, and my hope. I am redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and the power of his testimony. This is why I tell the truth about my experience—namely, that what God begins, God finishes.
I can say this because he lives!
Comments
This is such a beautiful testimony of faith. Thank you Rev. Perry for sharing your amazing strength and belief. He is alive indeed through you.
Rev. Angela Taylor Perry is one of the most encouraging women of God I've met. Your journey models what it means to walk by faith leaning on the Lord. Your inner strength, peace and joy exudes in person and even on Zoom. Keep on keeping on for the sake of God's kingdom!
Thank You Angela! I too have lived with MS for 25 years. I too have seen how the Lord becomes so personal in ways you never experienced when you were " normal"! You see his blessings in your suffering because He is the only relief! A little voice tells me that His grace is sufficient for me. I see the blessing in my illness because I would never have this kind of relationship without it! God bless you Angela!
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