THE ONE WITH NADIA IBRAHIM MOSSBURG

This week on The Collected Podcast, we are honored to welcome author and advocate Nadia Ibrahim Mossburg for a powerful conversation about faith, disability, and the God who meets us in every chapter of our story. This episode is a tender reminder that God doesn’t wait for our lives to be tidy before He shows up. Nadia shares about the beauty and the ache of living with disability, the unexpected ways God provides, and the grace that carries us through the seasons we never would’ve chosen. If you’ve been walking through something heavy, this conversation will meet you right where you are and whisper hope into the places that feel uncertain.

ABOUT THE BOOK

[Press Release] More than 70 million Americans — 1 in 4 people — live with a disability. Nearly a third of families affected by disability say they have left a church because their child felt unwelcome or excluded. For Nadia Ibrahim Mossburg, that number isn’t surprising.

Born with cerebral palsy, Mossburg spent more than two decades shaping policy across federal agencies, the private sector, and nonprofits, and nearly four decades navigating what it means to live as a person with a disability inside the American church. Now she’s written the book she wishes she’d had.

For too long, the conversation about faith and disability has been limited to platitudes, pity, or prayers for physical “fixing”— leaving millions feeling isolated,

misunderstood, and spiritually adrift. Divinely Disabled: A 30-Day Devotional to Discovering God’s Heart for the Disability Community challenges that. It is written for anyone who has ever felt isolated by disability, any friend who wants to be a true ally, and any church leader who wants to build a community of belonging but isn’t sure where to start. “At some point in your life, disability will touch your story,” Mossburg writes. “I hope this book serves as a catalyst for biblical conversations about disability. Wherever you find yourself today, please know you are not alone.”

Drawing from Scripture, disability history, personal narrative and decades of policy expertise, Divinely Disabled moves readers through five phases of the disability journey — from facing hidden battles and unmet expectations to advocating for change, cultivating community, and living with purpose. Each of the 30 daily readings includes a reflection, a prayer, and a “Share Your Story” section with prompts. Mossburg writes candidly about nearly ending her life between ages 12 and 16 as she wrestled

with her diagnosis, encountering ableism in faith communities, and the years it took to believe her disability was not an accident and not a barrier to a life of purpose and contribution.

Equal parts personal and practical, Divinely Disabled is for the person asking “God, why me?” and for the friend, family member, and church leader sitting beside them. Mossburg’s message is clear: disability is not a detour from purpose. It is the path.

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SHOW NOTES

NADIA’s Faith Journey

Nadia shared her journey of coming to know the Lord at age 12, initially through a camp counselor and later through a high school aide who read the Bible to her during physical therapy. She described how the aide's consistent sharing of scripture became her motivation for physical therapy, culminating in a simple prayer for a Bible and an invitation to church for her high school graduation.

When asked about her advice for those in darkness, Nadia encouraged them to cry out to God, stating that he sees them and wants a relationship, and that he hears and knows them with good plans for their lives.

She discussed a specific challenging time when she moved to Washington D.C. for an internship, where she initially lacked necessary assistance but ultimately received help through her colleagues and local university connections.

Nadia reflected on how the Lord guides and provides for believers even when they can't see the path clearly, emphasizing His patience and gentleness in leading people through difficult decisions.

Divinely Disabled

Nadia shared her experience of leaving government work after 22 years to write her book "Divinely Disabled," emphasizing how faith is needed even in challenging situations. She advised people facing difficulties to return to the Lord, reminding Him of His promises and trusting in faith as small as a mustard seed.

Nadia discussed her book about the disability community and her Christian journey, explaining that she wrote it to address the lack of resources for young adults with disabilities navigating church and faith.

She shared her philosophy of extending grace to people who may not know better while advocating for education and inclusion. Nadia emphasized that while the church may not always get it right, her hope rests in Jesus rather than in people, and she continues to engage with the church community.

The Church and Disability

Nadia discussed her perspective on the church as a living body that grows and changes, emphasizing that God is more faithful, gracious, merciful, and just than she can fully comprehend. She described the journey of disability as never linear, with ongoing processing and growth throughout life.

Nadia expressed her hope that the church would become more comfortable discussing difficult topics, including both physical and spiritual aspects of disability, to support both individual growth and the health of the church community.

Nadia discussed the concept that challenging situations related to disability can simultaneously be beautiful and glorified, drawing from her personal faith perspective. She explained how it's possible to grieve losses while also celebrating God's faithfulness in specific situations.

Embracing Disability as Divine Mastery

Nadia shared her message that God is big enough to handle all emotions and situations, and she emphasized that disability is a divine masterpiece like other human attributes. She expressed hope that the church would embrace this perspective for the next generation of people with disabilities.

NEXT STEPS

The Divinely Present Challenge

For the next seven days, choose one intentional moment each day to practice seeing God’s faithfulness in places that feel unclear, uncomfortable, or overlooked. This mirrors Nadia’s journey of trusting God through disability, transition, and unexpected provision.

Each day, do one of the following:

Notice God’s provision — Pause and name one way God showed up for you, even subtly.
Extend grace first — Respond to someone’s misunderstanding or impatience with the kind of grace Nadia models.
Learn one new thing — Read or watch something that expands your understanding of disability and belonging in the church.
Practice presence — Reach out to someone who may feel unseen, offering encouragement or practical support.

At the end of the week, reflect on how these small acts shifted your awareness of God’s mercy, justice, and nearness—and how they might shape the way you show up in your church and community.

CONNECT WITH NADIA:

Thank you, as always, for listening! Please remember that everything we do is funded by those who benefit from our ministry. Our ministry a 501(c)3, so your contribution is tax-deductible.

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The Collected Podcast is a production of Collected Ministries, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping disciples of Jesus discover and live from their true identity in Christ, recognize and walk in their divine purpose within the Kingdom of God, and experience growth in their capacity for mature, healthy relationships.
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The Collected Podcast is produced by Jes French and edited by Jacob Early. Cover art designed by Ben Biondo.

S9 Episode #5- Disability, Hope & the Faithfulness of God with Nadia Ibrahim Mossburg