Ten Reasons to Work Instead of Going On Disability

Dafs in February...one of the perks of living where I do!

Work? Or go on Disability?

When am I “disabled?”  Am I disabled?  I certainly don’t view myself that way! I have a diagnosis that “qualifies,” but when do I throw in the towel and quit working?

If you have chronic illness (and depression...goes together like peanut butter and jelly doesn't it?) you are probably going to have to look at the pros and cons of quitting work.

I am in the mid-swing of life, still have my baby at home to raise, and I’m still paying off student loans from my most recent degree (well, I was in a long term remission period, Ha!); but, it’s time I look at this topic like it or not!

1. disability checks pay you enough to think you are going to get by financially (I went to a disability attorney...he said, if there’s any way you can work...then work! Disability limits you financially.
2. working gets me out of the house and around people...good for me
3. disability means working with a government agency...huge hassle
4. working gives me a sense of purpose and accomplishment
5. disability means I’m disabled, that’s a negative label (I dislike labels!)
6. working allows me to share myself with others (I’m a teacher by profession)
7. disability will mean that I am home more...will I really rest more at home?
8. working keeps me moving and gives me a reason to start the day
9. disability means if someone sees me working in the yard (I have good days), I will be judged as an abuser of the system (busybodies you know!)
10. working gives you benefits, especially insurance (I hope.  Disability gives you bare minimum.)

Quitting work is a difficult decision and has far-reaching ramifications. Going on disability puts me in a position of dependence; a place I once said I would never be. Or is this pride?

Anyway, here are some scriptures that put all things into perspective:

And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. Psalms 9:10 ESV

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. Psalms 37:5

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Ephesians 2: 19-22 ESV

I would love to hear what some of you are doing about this dilemma and hope you will post some comments about this to share with us!

Respectfully Yours,

Off Beat, Me!

It’s okay to be off-beat, flaky  or unusual. No one ever told me that it was okay, so I thought I would pass on the information!

If you read my About Me then you realize that I am, myself, somewhat of an off-beat personality, or so I once was told. Really, I wasn't always who I am today.  Excepting a nine-year remission period, I have been living with a chronic condition that causes depression, chronic fatigue, and pain.  Add to that a divorce after 28 years of marriage (add one nervous breakdown), and you come up with a potion for a major personality change.

Deep anger and a root of bitterness took hold of me for a while. Not so much from the loss of a relationship, or the grief, or the feelings of despair and fear; those, are topics for another day...but, anger, because I realized that I was a changed person.  I thought, what right does one person have to create such damage in me!

You might say, well, you let it happen to yourself; you are in control of you.  That’s true too, and a good thought; but, when I was hit with circumstances out of the blue, I didn't have time to prepare. I lost my equilibrium. I sank and I sank fast...and it was bad. It was dark.  I couldn't breathe...eat...sleep...or cry for help.  I nearly didn't make it out alive.

How did I get through it?  One hour at a time; then, one day at a time. When I could not reach up out of the black, God reached down with His hand. He met me where I was.

No one wants to hear the old cliche  but it does take time to heal; and we have to be patient with ourselves and also allow God to work in our lives.  Change will come too.  No, I am not the person I used to be; but, I am a stronger person now.  I don’t waste my time thinking and doing what doesn't matter a hill of beans! Oh, I’m different, but I like who I am, and I like that I know what the important things are in life. God gave me a life and He gave me a life to live to the full...and I plan to continue to do that very thing!

Comment and post a dream today...share a positive thought...give a testimony of praise.  Share a little God-light through yourself with a friend who needs a hand up.

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. Psalms 119:37 (ESV)

Thanks for stopping by!

Raven