Christians should view ADHD/ADD the way we view any medical condition—as an unfortunate consequence of sin's entry into the world. God did not desire us to live with disorders or diseases, and He will one day make His people whole and healed.
Christians should view ADHD/ADD the way we view any medical condition: An unfortunate consequence of sin's entry into the world. Illness, disease, disorder, and deformity didn’t exist before Adam and Eve rebelled against God (Genesis 1:31). Anything that causes difficulty (such as ADHD/ADD), pain, or anything that leads to death is part of the curse that sin brought into the world (Genesis 2:17; Romans 5:12). No one should expect to lead a life free from the effects of sin (Romans 3:23). In fact, Jesus told us that we would experience trials in this life (John 16:33). Even so, it’s normal to be sad about the effects of sin in our lives; in John 11, Jesus mourned Lazarus's death even while knowing He was about to raise him from the dead. But believers shouldn’t use disabilities or disorders as an excuse to sin. Believers have the indwelling Holy Spirit, which enables us to be more Christ-like. And believers can look forward to a day when all God’s children will be restored to the perfect state we were intended to be. In the meantime, the Lord offers us comfort in our distress.
Fidgeting. Inattentiveness. Lateness. Poor listening skills. Maybe these were some of the notes your elementary school teacher wrote on your report card. Or maybe they’re observations you’ve made about your own behavior.
Since the 1980s, those who exhibit those behaviors are likely to be diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD), a neurodevelopmental disorder that causes inappropriate levels of inattention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity and affects the brain's executive function.
But even those who don’t have ADHD/ADD likely have some other disorder or disease or troubling circumstance. The truth is that none of us can escape the effects of our fallen world — if not for Christ. In Christ, we have the promise of a glorious world in which the Lord will “wipe away every tear” from our eyes (Revelation 21:4). We may take medication to resolve the disorders we experience now, but the ultimate Healer is Christ. In Him, we have true restoration.