Worshipping the Idol of Autism
I John 5:21 (KJV) says “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”
An idol can be just about anything. If it can take worship from God, it can become an idol. Money is an idol for many. People go to extreme lengths to sacrifice for an almighty dollar. Beauty is another idol. Magazines put naked women on their covers and put them on racks for children to see. People go to amazing lengths to defy aging, beat “cellulite”, poof out one body part or reduce another, dye this, pierce that, and so on. We make idols of celebrities, worship them at the theaters and on tv. We even have television shows such as American Idol.
Over the years, I truly believe autism spectrum disorders have become an idol. People seek out practitioners for cures and treatments to solve their children’s problems. They try all kinds of diets, seek out odd diets taking out nutrients children need, and try things such as chelation. Billions of dollars are spent chasing vaccination theories, genetics, rigorous routine therapies such as ABA, and so on. Autism has become an industry that generates its own idols out of people who claim to have miracle cures and answers to all things autism.
Rather than bowing to an industry that gives false hopes and lackluster results, why not simply follow I Corinthians 2:5—“That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” Many folks with M.D. behind their names, and hundreds who have other initials behind their names, offer various pieces of their “wisdom”, but at a price. Rather than running to psychiatry and therapists first, seeking men’s advice first, why not seek God’s thoughts?
God created us. He knows the number of hairs on our heads. In Psalm 139:14, the psalmist David says, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Throughout Scripture wise men (and women) sought God. They sought THE Great Physician for issues. Sprinkled in the Gospels are glimpses of people from lepers to those with children dead or dying, seeking after the Lord. If the Lord can heal the sick and bring the dead back to life, cannot He also help our children who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders? If you are a Bible believing born again Christian, are you truly supposed to seek man’s wisdom first?
Matthew 6:33 says “But seek ye first the kingdom of God….” This should be our first priority. We as bible believing Christians are to seek HIM first, for help, for answers and guidance. Listen to God, and He will tell you which direction to go. Whether it be medications, therapy, counseling, alternative medicine, special diets, etc, seek HIS guidance first.
Also, we as parents should bathe our children in prayer. Our children, whether they have autism or not, need us praying over them, praying for their protection from Satan. Our children with autism are susceptible to things therapists and doctors suggest. Praying for discernment and wisdom first, as in Matthew 6:33, helps not only us, but our children as they grow and develop.
We as parents are told in Deuteronomy 6:4-7 to teach our children about God and His commandments. The bible doesn’t have provisions for special needs children. Every child can come to know God, whether they have autism or not. This is not popular amongst the psychology crowd, but it’s commanded by the Lord. “Hear, O Isrea: The Lord our God is one Lord: (5) And thou shalt love thy Lord with all thine heart, and with all they soul, and with all thy might. (6) And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: (7) And thou shalt teach them diligently unto they children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thouh liest down, and when thou risest up. (13) Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.” (Deut 5-7, 13)
Follow God first. Stay away from the idols propped up to “cure” autism. God created us and our children, He will sustain you. Trust in Him, let Him lead you!
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