Today’s tip has to do with how we speak of and perceive others with disabilities. In short, Give them grace! Our study on Ephesians 4:29 made me think of this tip.

Sometimes, sigh, sadly, it is easy to judge others with disability who handle things differently than we would handle them. Please be kind and speak words of edification and grace to build them up. You don’t know what they are going through. You don’t know their specific needs.

For an example, I will use something that my medical conditions require that is typically misunderstood especially post-pandemic. My significant and persistent allergies and asthma mean that any time I go outside I have to wear a mask; my immune system requires a mask in crowds or around people since pre-pandemic.

I have seen the posts of those who feel it is very odd for people to wear a mask outside. I understand that it is odd. Yet, it is necessary for me to enjoy any time out of the house. It is my responsibility to give them grace knowing they don’t understand. (It goes both ways – give grace to others that you don’t understand and give grace to those who do not understand what you are going through! This may be harder, I think!)

When my dad was battling cancer, my mom said several times that we didn’t know how we were going to react when he passed. It is something that you cannot predict. Everyone reacts differently. In the same sense, we don’t know how we would react to the battles that someone else may be fighting. Instead of speaking poorly of them, come alongside and encourage them. Find ways to help. Offer words and acts of support.

And so, it is a bit of a different tip today, but one that I believe is very important. People are fighting more than we can ever know and simply doing their best to survive and thrive through it! Give them grace!