As I rooted my life in Christ, I started to focus less on the words of men to define my worth and to look to God’s words. My perception on my own worth was put on a rock solid foundation knowing that I was an adopted son of God. His love and purpose for me was never going to change even when the circumstances of my life would. Resting in what He says about me keeps me from riding the roller coaster of shame and fear. 

Please allow me to serve notice of a publishing event: Daniel Ritchie’s My Affliction for His Glory. I’ve known Daniel for almost twenty years now and have watched him wrestle with, and ultimately embrace, a unique form of adversity: Daniel was born without arms.

Through a saving encounter with Christ, he realized that with worth and purpose is found in Christ. With Christ as his ultimate treasure, Daniel was liberated from the enslavement caused by comparing and contrasting himself with other people.

I’ve known Daniel’s story for years. And now, through this wonderful book, you can know it also, and draw upon it to help you truly find your identity in Christ and faithfully embrace any challenges of afflictions that come your way.

For that reason, I asked Daniel to answer a few questions about his book, focusing especially on its application to the everyday Christian life, finding our identity in Christ, and embracing God’s plan for us even when it involves affliction.

Here is our conversation:

Why did you write the book?

I never thought of myself as an author, but I have known for a long time that God had given me a unique story to tell with me being born without arms. Writing My Affliction For His Glory just seemed to be the best vehicle to share that story with the world. My prayer is that God will use this book to encourage believers but to also show people who don’t trust Christ as Lord that He gives hope and purpose to those who trust in Him – even those who feel broken and worthless.

There’s just so many things that God has done in my life that I could never share in a single sermon and this book allows me to get into some more details. God has shown Himself in both big ways and small ways in my life and I wanted to use this book as an opportunity to speak to God’s vast work.

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