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Limitations Do Not Define Me

Limitations Do Not Define Me

Last updated on: November 9, 2026 at 12:42 pm by Michele Howe

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Limitations Do Not Define Me 2026-11-09T12:42:41-06:00 Michele Howe

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My Limitations Are God's Opportunity

My Limitations Are God’s Opportunity

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.

John 10: 10

It’s easy and quite normal to take on our difficulty as our identity. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, the betrayal of a friend, physical sickness, or financial ruin, no hardship in this fallen world has the power to define you or determine your potential.

Paul Tripp

An older woman once described to me how she refused to allow her advancing health restrictions to diminish her ability to make a difference. “I can no longer travel overseas to serve as a missionary, but I can serve within my city. I will soon no longer drive around town, but I can call and write letters to bring encouragement. I will eventually no longer be able to use a telephone because of my hearing loss or write because my hand trembles, but I can pray. So, I will pray day and night for every person I used to minister to in person.” I wonder if we take the wrong view of physical limitations when God helps us find a way around them?

Our Limitations Never Limit God

I’ve thought about this senior citizen’s remarkable words and have been challenged by her even more resilient spirit. Even though many of her life’s plans were cut short by health issues that reduced her once physically strong self to a much weaker and frail woman, nothing robbed Annie of her heart. She never allowed the personal disappointment she endured time after time, as her body grew weaker and weaker yet, to steal from her the purpose for which Jesus intended for her to fulfill.

Certainly, failing health meant no more overseas missionary work, but Annie adjusted her vision to match her abilities. When Annie ceased foreign missions, she went local. When she couldn’t safely drive any longer, Annie ministered from home. Even when her body became too weak to call or write…Annie prayed.

God Will Always Use Our Willingness To Serve

As Annie’s world of ministry necessarily shrunk because of her physical frailty…her inner world of faith grew in similar proportions. Deep and wide. Annie held loosely to her dreams and surrendered each one at the foot of the Cross. Each and every time, God showed Annie fresh new ways he wanted her to use her gifts and talents to serve others.

Annie’s life might at first glance appear to be a series of one disappointment after another. But it wasn’t. Annie had determined early on when her health began to fail that she would not fall victim to Satan’s scheme to steal, kill, and destroy her or the life Jesus had paid the ultimate price to redeem. Instead, Annie took her losses to Jesus every time and she found that he gave her endless opportunities to share his perfect love in ways that Annie never anticipated.

* * *

When we face physical, mental, or emotional limitations it can be scary. And sad. And hard. And disappointing. And. And. And. The list can go on and on. Aging itself is risky business because we are forced to face the truth that even though we might feel young on the inside, our physical body will remind us in countless uncomfortable and painful ways that we are getting older.

Our Limitations Are God’s Opportunity

From our day-to-day activities and responsibilities to carrying out those often overwhelming, unexpected challenges that leave us feeling exhausted and undone, we must find faith-driven ways to accept our limitations. For some, limitations may not present themselves in a purely physical sense. Perhaps we find ourselves with limited material resources, limited housing, limited mobility, limited relationally. Again, the list can go on and on.

Jesus Gives Us Life To The Full

The point being, we must take our limitations (losses) to the Lord and seek his wisdom for redeeming each one. Yes, it’s inconvenient. It’s uncomfortable. It’s humbling to face our inadequacies. But Jesus made it clear that if we give way to the Enemy’s subtle message that our lives no longer matter (remember his goal is to steal, kill, and destroy), we are forgetting that Jesus came to give us life (and life to the full).

Our Identity Never Changes In Christ

Our identity is eternally secure in the person of Jesus Christ. As Tripp reminds us, “No hardship in this fallen world has the power to define you or determine your potential.” Limited though we might become, we serve an unlimited God with an eternal plan (and we are part of that plan.)

Take-away Action Thought

When life suddenly changes and my dreams and desires have to be set aside because of limitations, I will not despair. I will remind myself that nothing that happens in this broken world can define the identity I have as one of God’s beloved children. Even though I may become physically limited and my life’s goals are diminished, I serve an unlimited God who came to give me life eternal and life to the full.

My Heart’s Cry to You, O Lord

Father, in this season of my life I am experiencing unexpected and honestly, unwanted, limitations of all sorts. In my heart of hearts, you know that my desire is to serve you by being out and active in my community. I want to be amongst the people you’ve called me to love and serve. But my strength is gone. My stamina has been depleted. I don’t know if I will ever recover fully from this season where I’m becoming more and more accustomed to having to say no to others. Help me to find the new normal in my life and recognize what I can do to serve. Open my heart and my eyes to those people you want to me to minister to and then show me how to accomplish it. Never let me sit home and pity myself because I can’t do what I once did. Fill me with your Spirit and let my heart soar toward Heaven in prayer. Amen.

Faith Steps

When I am faced with significant and possibly permanent life limitations, I will not give way to pity or feel sorry for myself. Instead, I will pray and ask God to begin showing me new and fresh opportunities to serve others.
I will ask my closest friends to pray along with me as I seek to accept my new normal and ask them to keep me accountable as I wait on the Lord to show me what my life may look like in the coming days.
This week, I’ll spend time praying every day for each person that I once was able to minister to when I was stronger. I will not forget their needs even though I may not have the opportunity to visit in person any longer. My daily act of service will be to become a prayer warrior on their behalf.

General Christian

Family, Parenting and Religion

About Michele Howe

Michele Howe is the author of 31 books for women, children, and families. She has published over 3000 articles, reviews, and curricula. Her newest title, Brave Faith for Hard Things, equips Christians to face their hardest battles with the grace and sustaining strength of the Lord. You can read more about the author here.

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