We would like to take a moment to thank our sponsor, PreBorn
Dr. Jessica Peck: We would like to take a moment to thank our sponsor, PreBorn. When a mother meets her baby on ultrasound and hears their heartbeat, it's a divine connection. And the majority of the time she will choose life. But they can't do it without our help. Preborn needs us, the pro life community, to come alongside them. One ultrasound is just $28. To donate, dial pound 250 and say the keyword baby or visit preborn.com/AFR what if one moment could change a life forever? Every day, mothers facing unplanned pregnancies walk into PreBorn Network clinics searching for hope. Through a free ultrasound, they meet their baby for the very first time. And when they see that tiny life and hear that heartbeat, everything can change.
Dan Steiner: Hey friend. Dan Steiner, president at PreBorn here with a heartfelt thank you. Because you know what? This year so far, your partnership with PreBorn has saved over 50,000 babies and moms from abortion and wouldn't have happened without you. What you are doing together with PreBorn is truly changing generations. Every tax deductible dollar that you give is used to rescue babies lives and lead moms to Jesus Christ. So far this year alone We've seen over 8,000 women give their hearts to Christ. All because you helped with an ultrasound scan for $28 or a machine for $15,000. So thank you. Your caring help so saves lives both for earth and for eternity. God bless you.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Right now, more mothers are waiting for that life changing moment. $28 helps to provide one life saving ultrasound. $140 helps rescue five babies. To donate to help pound 250 and say the keyword baby. That's pound 250 baby or visit preborn.com/AFR that's preborn.com/AFR Every gift is tax- deductible. Hello and welcome to the Dr. Nurse
: Mama show prescribing hope for healthy families here on American Family Radio. Here's your host, professor, pediatric nurse practitioner and mom of four, Dr. Jessica Peck.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Well, hello there friends and welcome to my favorite time of day. And well do I have a treat for you. I am so excited about today's show. Don't go anywhere because we have a great dose of hope for you today.
Most of us spend a tremendous amount of energy trying to fix ourselves in this self help culture
And I have a question to start off. What if that thing that you wish you could change most about yourself, that thing that you think about all the time, that you don't like about yourself that you get frustrated with, that you pray about, what if that is the very thing that God most wants to use to be most impactful in your life. I want you to really think about that. Because most of us spend a tremendous amount of energy trying to fix ourselves in this self help culture. We see self help psychologically, physically, cosmetically. We compare our bodies and our abilities and our accomplishments, our families, our struggles, and quietly wonder, are we enough? It's never seems like it's enough. And our kids are growing up in a culture that's exceptionally good at reinforcing
Dr. Jessica Peck: that security because that insecurity drives marketing.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Let's make you insecure about something and make you aware of a problem in your life, make you discontent about that so you'll purchase a solution.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Social media tells us what we should look like.
Dr. Jessica Peck: An achievement culture tells us what we should accomplish. And comparison tells us who we should be like.
Dr. Jessica Peck: But the gospel tells us something radically different.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Your worth is not something that you have to earn in this world. You were created by God. You are an image bearer of God. And your physical, emotional, psychological, academic, whatever
Dr. Jessica Peck: limitations you have do not limit God. And that's the heart of the story
Dr. Jessica Peck: that we're talking about today.
Nick Vujicic's inspiring story is coming to theaters September 25th
Dr. Jessica Peck: I am so thrilled to welcome back my friend, Nick Vujicic. He was a man born without arms or legs, and he experienced bullying and isolation and depression and some profound questions about whether his life had purpose. But his story did not end with those limitations. Instead, through faith in Jesus, through family, through perseverance, through an extraordinary calling from God, Nick's life is now a global testimony of hope for millions. And that story is now coming to theaters. And no limbs, no limits. The Nick V Story I want you to mark your calendars now. It's coming to theaters September 25th. Start calling people today to make a date to go to the theater and see this story. Because it is not just a movie about overcoming adversity. It is a movie that asks that deeper question. What if the brokenness that you're experiencing in your life isn't the end of your story? It, might be the very beginning. What if God can use the very places that. That you feel most inadequate? And today we are joined by Nick V himself, who has shared the gospel around the world, reaching audiences across numerous countries, speaking on thousands of stages to millions. And he is answering that question, does my life have purpose? Nick, you know, I'm, always so glad to have you here. Thank you so much for spending time with us today.
Nick Vujicic: Jessica, so good to see you. Thank you for having me back on the show. Really excited to reconnect with you.
Nick V's documentary about his life coming to theaters
Dr. Jessica Peck: Well, Nick, I know that you have shared your testimony on Stages. You have written books about your life. What has it meant to see this story coming to film? What has that journey been like for you?
Nick Vujicic: You know, it's kind of surreal. Generally when you get a documentary, feature film about your life, you're either old or you're dead. in my mid-40s and, you know, continuing to travel the world. We just came from, Africa and Kenya, Uganda, Namibia and Zambia, preaching the gospel to 50 million people through Nick V Ministries in May.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Wow.
Nick Vujicic: You know, this, this, this film is an extension of hope. It's a tool that we really believe that God's going to use to heal broken hearts, renew minds and help people find, find, faith. and so the older I get, Jessica, the more I want to be with my beautiful kids and my wife at home. but I still want all 8 billion to hear that God has a plan for them too. And so we're really excited about this and never, seen before home footage done that my mom recorded and incredible interviews as well of people who encouraged me along my way of life and becoming the man of God that I am. But we're so excited that it is coming to theaters. No limbs, no limits.
Nick was born without limbs and attempted suicide at age 10
Dr. Jessica Peck: Well, I'm sure, you know, as you've told your testimony so many times, I'm sure as you've gone back and prepared this for, for film, there probably have been some new revelations that you have, and it's hard to imagine anyone who hasn't seen you encountered your story. But for those maybe who haven't, give us an introduction to your life, your testimony, and maybe share some things that you've learned as, or you've seen as you've made the movie.
Nick Vujicic: Look, you know, being born without limbs in Australia, now living in Texas, being in the United States for the last 22 years, I want everyone to know that this film, in this message is the, the whole term of no limits. it's really. There are no limits as to what God can do with your broken pieces and your yes. And before I gave my yes to God, all I could see were my broken pieces. And I didn't have faith to trust in him. I didn't see the plan that God would have for me. And so being bullied, depressed, anxious, isolated, feeling alone, I attempted suicide at age 10. had a loving home that told me that God loved me, that I'm special, that God's going to plan. But I couldn't see it. And so by the mercy of God, I decided to not go through it. The suicide I Didn't want to leave that pain behind for my parents. But believing that I'd never get married, never be happy, never be independent, never have a purpose filled life that I think was the biggest disability. My unbelief. And I gave my life to God at age 15. Read about the blind man. He got healed. But what was beautiful was he didn't ask Jesus, what's the plan? He just let Jesus do the plan. And if he gives me the plan, then I don't need faith. And so the whole epiphany of the revelation is God can do anything with our yes, and our broken pieces. There are no limits, even to the point that when you don't get a miracle, you can still be one. and then lastly, you'll also see throughout the documentary, even the janitor, who was used by God, who saw me speak in front of my peers at age 17 as the vice president doing a speech. He said, God's going to take you all around the world. You're going to speak, you're going to share your story, and I want to organize your first speech about who you were before you met Christ, how you met Christ, and what that means for you. And that's the beautiful thing, Jessica. It's not just getting through it. It's not just understanding. God can use the circumstance, but he loves to use each other in his plan for one another.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Well, it's been so inspiring, Nick, as I've seen you speak and gotten to know you, to, to be a man who is born without arms or legs, to say that your life's mission is to be the hands and feet of Jesus, to take the gospel to people who are suffering. You've talked about the different kinds of suffering that people have, and it doesn't matter if they had the same kind of suffering that you did or any kind of suffering. I think this movie is going to resonate with God's purpose and suffering. You've seen suffering all around the world. How do you believe that God is going to use your story to give hope to those who feel hopeless?
Nick Vujicic: I think a lot of people will relate to the emotional thoughts that we have. You know what I even love is the fact that within this story there are other people's stories, like my siblings, my, my mum. And what we, depict very in much of a raw form and full transparency is just because you're a Christian, it doesn't mean you have it all together. Just because you believe in God, it doesn't mean that you never have doubts or fear or worries. and so that's what I think is quite beautifully depicted in this entire film where we understand, that God is a God of hope. And, and sometimes you can't see him, you don't feel him, you don't hear him. what do you do when you ask God for a circumstance to change and it doesn't, you know, how do you walk by faith and not by sight. That's the hard journey part where we all need encouragement to keep on pressing in and not giving up and waiting for God to show us the next steps. I think a lot of people are in seasons of waiting for God's clear, direct answers or steps. And even the revelation that when he doesn't change a circumstance, maybe he wants to use it.
Dr. Jessica Peck: That is so encouraging. I, I really can't wait to see it because again, I've, I've read your story, I've heard you give your testimony. But there's something about bringing it to life like you're talking about bringing in the other people and looking at the angles. Because it's not just you, it's your family, it's your parents, like you said, your siblings, the janitor. All of those people have perspective. And I think whether you are suffering or whether you're walking alongside someone who is suffering, that there's going to be encouragement for you. And this film asks, what if the thing you spent your life trying to fix is the very thing God wants to use? How do you hope that that message will resonate and shake the hearts of believers and change the way that they're walking out their faith?
Nick Vujicic: You know, I just love that God uses the foolish things to confound the wise. Like it's only God that, you know, God would use a man without arms and legs to be his hands and feet. That when we don't get a miracle, we can still be one. And when you walk by faith and not by sight, and you put in go you, you just go and sin no more. And you go and you go one day at a time. And you'll have your ups and downs, you'll have your mountains and your valleys, but God's faithfulness and kindness carries us through. And so when you put a G O in front of the word disabled, it actually spells out God is abled to do what to do exceedingly, abundantly, more than you can ever ask, imagine or retain.
Dr. Jessica Peck: My goodness.
Nick Vujicic: You know, when we, when we, when we see that on this side of heaven, we don't know what heaven looks like. But no matter what that Kind of means for us today, it's that one hug in heaven that we're gonna get from a person that will say, thank you for being my friend. Thank you for listening to me when I needed a, listening ear. Thank you for being in my small group. Thank you for checking in with me and letting me know that you're praying for me. You gave me that faith to believe that this place called heaven was real. And so that's what it's all about. It's not about achieving anything on this side of heaven or having anything or experience on this side of heaven. It's about understanding that God has a plan for each and every one of us, and we're all part of that tapestry.
Nick Vujicic shares his testimony about living with a disability
Dr. Jessica Peck: Well, one of the things I really appreciate about your testimony, Nick, is that you don't pretend that the hard things aren't hard. You don't pretend that. Okay, yes, like, you know, this is the happy ending. You share the mountaintops and the valleys and the challenges and the struggles and the victories. What does it look like to be authentic in that and then still say what you're saying? Like, I still have hope. Even though you're still living in the reality of the limitations that are here. But you say no limits.
Dr. Jessica Peck: How.
Dr. Jessica Peck: How do you live in that reality? Just how do you live in the reality of the hope that you're having despite the reality of the suffering that you're still going to face here on earth?
Nick Vujicic: You know, the Bible says that, that we are to die to ourselves every single day to carry our cross and, and, and follow Jesus and whatever that means. I, I don't know what that means for some of your viewers and your listeners. And I don't. I don't pretend to know their pain at all. But it's a daily reminder of what Jesus went through. For me, it's a daily reminder of. Let's say that I'm going through some difficulties of believing that I have value. Well, you go on back to the bible then. Psalm 139. I'm wonderfully and fearfully made. And to combat the, the lies, you can only combat the lies with the truth that when the voice says you're not good enough, or God doesn't care about you, or he's forgotten you, we can remind ourselves of the daily truths that, that those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. That doesn't always mean that, we're waiting for a plan to be given as a blueprint downloaded to us. it doesn't mean that God always changes a physical circumstance. but his grace is sufficient and his power is made perfect in weakness. and I love the fact that I'm an illustration, if you will, of, what would seem as brokenness to anyone. You can see my disability, but you can also see that there is something of strength and peace and resilience in me that goes beyond motivation. That goes beyond.
Dr. Jessica Peck: I'll tell you, Nick, I definitely see that. I'm going to hold you right there. We're already at our first break, but when we come back, we'll talk more about that. And Nick, I know you're such a champion for the unborn, and we'll talk about what your testimony means for life everywhere. We'll be right back with more from Nick Vujicic.
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Hello, I'm Jessica peck, host of Dr. Nursemama. Did you know that this content is listener supported? Without people like you, this podcast would not exist And that's why we need you. A generous monthly gift of any amount will help sustain American Family Radio and specifically this podcast. Please consider becoming a monthly financial partner today by visiting afr.net/give that's afr.net/give
Peace Be Still by Hope Darst: I don't want to be afraid if you Every time I face the waves I don't want to be afraid I don't want to be afraid and I don't want to fear the storm Just because I hear it roar I don't want to fear the storm I don't want to fear the storm? Peace be still Save the world and I will set my feet upon the sea Till I'm dead sitting in the deep Peace be still you are here so it is well, even when my, eyes can see I will trust the voice that.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Welcome back, friends. That is Peace, Be still by Hope Darst.
Nick Vujicic was born with no arms or legs
And no matter what you're facing today, you may be frustrated by some limitations that you feel like you have. If that is you, or even if it's not, if you are listening, I want you to put September 25th on your calendar. Take your friends, take your family to see the new movie coming out called no Limbs, no limits. The Nick V Story. This is the story of Nick Vujicic, a man who was born in Australia with no arms or legs, but who has been given the mission of being the hands and feet of God. And there is a peace. And Nick, a, joy. And Nick, that is, that draws the world in, because by the world standard, he shouldn't have peace or joy. And this conversation that is going to happen after this movie is really going to center on where do you believe that your worth comes from? And this movie is going to give you hope that our worth comes from God. We are image bearers of God. And especially as parents, we want our kids to believe in themselves. And when we get married and you have dreams of starting a family, you have specific vision of what that's going to look like. But there are truths that we need to teach our children that they don't have to believe in themselves nearly as much as they need to know who they belong to. And in this achievement culture, that can be hard. But achievement changes. Abilities change, appearances change, popularity change, circumstances change. But the image of God stamped on a human life does not disappear when those circumstances change. Nick just talked about Psalm 139 being fearfully and wonderfully made. And Nick, this is a. This is a topic that is. It really seems to be happening more and more as we talk about the sanctity of human life. And recently there was a very popular influencer who talked about he and his wife's decision to abort their baby when they found out their prenatal diagnosis of down syndrome. And I imagine that this is an especially difficult or challenging conversation for you to watch, given, you know, your position and what medical professionals advised your parents before you were born. How does this. How what would you speak from your position, your perspective? I know you're such a champion for the, unborn. How do you think that your story will help to help us look at how we see and judge the quality of life?
Nick Vujicic: Yeah, you know, my parents always said that they, they knew that, in their mind, in their heart, that if they found out that I was going to be born with this disability. My parents were church leaders actually, at the time, and, they told me that. Nick, you know, we know that God. God always has a plan for every single child. And I, I think it's by the mercy of God protecting their heart and their mind at the point of pregnancy, that they did not know that I was going to be born this way yet. Understanding that every child in the womb, with or without a disability, we all have a given, God given purpose and plan. And some of it we don't understand. There is going to be some questions, Jessica, we're not going to know the answers to until we get home. but definitely, very disappointing that there are some countries out there that have had a national press conference to say that we've cured our nation of down syndrome. And, and it's just, it's. It's so disheartening. To believe that, that we can depict someone's value based on what we think a quality of life is or life itself. because that's when we really are not understanding the mysteries of God. God created life and God could give me arms and legs. God could heal someone of down syndrome. But if he doesn't change the circumstance, he'll use our circumstances. And I tell you, some of the most beautiful people that I've ever met that encourage me, are people with down syndrome. There's different disabilities out there, different spectrums of handicaps, from intellectual disabilities to, physical disabilities. And then people who are born what we would call normal and then something else happens during life. We can't predict the future, nor can we play God. And so, the ability to be able to go and address 37 presidents in 10 national governments, three of which change their, pro life laws protecting babies with different types of disabilities to know that every baby has value. And again, no limbs, no limits isn't depicted just for anyone that has a disability or who could relate to it. A life without limbs. It's all about the disabilities of the heart and the mind, of, of the lack of belief or the lack of truth to know that God does give, you the strength, you know, you don't need, don't have. And he'll give you the strength you need to not just get through it. But I'm going to tell you right now, yeah, I would love arms and legs and yeah, I have pairs of shoes in my closet just in case. But the fact that I can, I can encourage one person listening who has thought of committing suicide, the person who has been sexually abused, or mentally abused or bullied in some kind of way. This is the bullying. The root of all bullying comes from the enemy saying, you're not good enough, you're an accident, and there is no hope or purpose for you. And we all unfortunately go through those times of testing and doubt when we think of these things.
Dr. Jessica Peck: You know, you and I have had this conversation before, how some people have disabilities who are visible to others. Just like you said, people can look at you and your disability is visible. There are so many people, I love how you just said that, who have disabilities of the heart. And I think of that, that's the tragic moment that you must have had when you consider taking your own life. But Nick, there are plenty of people who are perfectly abled on the outside who have disabilities of the heart who are still at that point of desperation of wanting to take their own lives. And, but I. I think that the parents of children born with disabilities that are more visible to the world, they have fears and they have insecurities, and it's difficult to walk through those challenges that you see and to see your child struggle in that way. How do you. First of all, how would you speak to parents who do have children with disabilities? Now you're an adult. You had parents who loved you, who gave you the right message, who told you God loved you, and yet you still struggled, and yet you still found the hope. How would you encourage parents of children who are in that moment, right now, who maybe are questioning their decisions, who are just struggling? What would you say to give them hope and encouragement?
Nick Vujicic: My dad, Boris Vujicic, wrote a book called Raising the Perfectly Imperfect Child. And he outlined some parental outlines and points that. That really bolstered their, ground and footings to build the foundation for me. but it was always going back to an attitude of gratitude. Be thankful for what you do have. And in that, you. You help them understand as well that there are other people out there that are going through difficult, different things as well. My parents always exposed me to other people that have even less than me. M. So that I can actually see, oh, yeah, I could count my blessings. Not just the fact that I have a loving family, but to understand that there are other people that have less than me. The other thing is, getting counseling. They encouraged me to talk out my feelings. Sometimes you'll talk to your parents, sometimes you won't as a kid at all. But, surrounding them with community, I think helped me, with church, a couple neighbors. You only need a couple friends to get through the difficulties, just to sometimes be a listening ear and to build a bridge of friendship, to do something that has nothing to do with me, how I feel, and, you know, just having fun, you know, exploring, different ways and how you can still enjoy some parts of what you can do instead of focusing on what you can't do. so we went fishing, we went boating. I went swimming. I was in different clubs and trying to take chess clubs, right? Like, trying to get my mind off what I can't change and focus on what I can excel in. and then lastly, to the parents, be persistent farmers. Get those seeds of hope and faith and love and continue to shower them with positivity, affirmation, and scriptures of the word of God, where you are telling them whether the seed takes root or not. You're beautiful. You're beautiful. You're beautiful. You're beautiful. You're special. You're special. You're special. and I, and I think that that in itself, is, is, is so beautiful, because even though there were times I didn't want to receive it, didn't want to hear it, I needed to realize it myself. It was actually when I was placed in a position where I could actually help at least another person, I knew that I could make money vacuuming the floor with my shoulder on my chin, giving away some pocket money to help an orphan that has no home in Papua New Guinea. So it just all comes together in persistence, taking one day at a time, not pretending that you know all the answers, but trying to build and bolster that community around that child as much as possible as well.
Dr. Jessica Peck: I love how you talk about, you know, being a good farmer. That was so good because planting those seeds takes time. It takes time for them to grow. And when I think back to 10 year old Nick and the desperation that you felt and then now, you know, in your 40s Nick, and, and having a grounded perspective of being made in the image of God and, and rejoicing in your limitations and letting God use those even while embracing all of the imperfect. What are we going to see in the film, Nick, about that transition? Is that a slow transition that happens? Is there a milestone moment? Without giving too much away, what is that transition going to be like? I think that will be really helpful and instructive for families who are walking in the middle of that journey right now.
Nick Vujicic: You know, I believe whether your, your child has a disability or not, it's, it's always that journey of, of helping your own kid, wanting to not give up. Just having them wake up and say, I have something to live for or I, don't feel as lonely as I was before. This whole film, the first half of it, helps people to understand the canvas and the tapestry of those people around me. My mom, my brother, my sister. We talk a lot about my dad who graduated to heaven in 2017. We talk about the people that encouraged me along the way, but still the depths of, of discouragement in, in a way that I think relates to everyone. I think that attitude of gratitude was the first kind of depicting moment after the attempted suicide. I do talk about that. but really it's, it's a decision of God, help my unbelief. And you could say that in three sentences, this is how I came to Christ. But in the movie, it moves you to understand what it did take as a family to give Nick every Opportunity to know and feel that he was loved. Not knowing what he could do, what he cannot do, giving him chances to fail, allowing him not to be protected from the world when the bullying was really hard, and allowing him to grow through that. You see, we don't just go through life with. We grow through life. And so that whole journey, it was a slow growth, to answer your question, it was a slow turnaround. It was a gradual maturing process, but with sharp days and sharp lonely nights where I had questions and no one had any answers. And these are the times and seasons where we wanted to highlight because I think we all can relate to that. Many times we feel alone or just no one has any words to. To make you feel better when you are on the floor.
Dr. Jessica Peck: So much of that is not feeling alone. And Nick, I think you're absolutely right. I think, you know, limbs are not external. Disabilities are not those disabilities of the heart. I think sometimes those can be even more challenging to seek healing from because you can hide them better. And so many people live in secrecy and shame and see stigma rather than doing those things that you talked about in your slow growth journey, surrounding yourself with people who will speak words of life to you, who will speak tough truths to you, who will, like you said, allow you to be exposed to bullying, even when that's really hard, and help you to navigate that. And I hope that people who will go and see this film will consider, Do I have a disability of the heart? Even if I'm thinking I don't have a disability on the Xbox on the outside, do I have a disability of the heart? And what can God do with that? You referenced before Psalm 139 telling us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. And I think this is a message that we need to be giving each other, that we do not have to earn our worth in God. We are made in the image of God. Ephesians 2:10, that you've already referenced says that we are God's workmanship created for good works. He. He prepared for us. And that identity comes before any achievement that we have. I think there is. That is a message our children desperately need. And so I want to remind you this movie is coming to theaters September 25th. Don't just watch it as a story about Nick. Watch it through the eyes of your kids and then talk about it. What did Nick believe about himself? What did Nick believe about God? What do you believe make someone valuable? What limitations are you afraid might define you? And most of all, where do you see God? At work in your own story. We'll hear more of Nick V's story when we come back right after this break. And my father, your great grandfather, fought in World War II. Really? He was a gunner on the big ship out in the Pacific Ocean. Wow. Your great grandmother did her part, too. Was she on a ship? Oh, no. She stayed back home. She and a lot of her friends worked really hard in a factory because the men had gone off to war and they held scrap metal drives to help in the war effort. The folks back home were heroes, too.
Jeff Chamblee: Here at the American Family association, we consider you the heroes back home as you fulfill your responsibility of caring for your family day to day. Your partnership with us is crucial as we fight the enemies of freedom in America. Thank you for your commitment to the American Family Association. Grandpa, what's a scrap metal drive? Let's get some cookies and I'll tell you all about it.
Lead Me to the Cross by Brooke Fraser and Hillsong UNITED: Savior, I come quiet my soul remember. Redemption's hill where your blood was Spill my ransom everything I want sh I count to it all as long. Lead me to the cross where you have fallen. Bring me to my knees. Lord, I lay me down r me of myself I belong to you me m Lead me to the cross.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Welcome back, friends. That is Lead Me to the Cross by Brooke Fraser and Hillsong United. And I'm talking today to my friend Nick Vujicic, Nick V. Ministries, about the movie that's coming out about his life now. It releases September 25, but he has shared with me. If you go to nickvfilms.com and we'll put this in the show notes nickvfilms.com you can see the trailer for this movie and you can also sign up for emails about early tickets. I really encourage you to get a group to go together. If you teach a high school small group, if you coach a youth team, take those kids to see this movie and have conversation after it. Don't just see it as, oh, isn't that an inspiring story. That Nick, he's amazing. I agree. And I think that Nick, he's right here with me today, would tell you don't just go to see it as a story of his life, but see it as an inspiration for your own. Have questions with kids to talk about purpose and meaning. Kids today are looking for purpose and meaning. And I know Nick has spoken to to many, many, many high school students who are looking for that who are feeling pain. Maybe they don't have a disability that's exciting external, but they have what Nick has called a disability of the Heart. This is a conversation that goes beyond resilience, because resilience just asks, can I bounce back? Can I get through this? Purpose? Ask, what am I going to do with what God has entrusted to me? And Nick's story, it really moves from survival into purpose, from living a life of service, from, from asking does my life have value? To your life telling other people that their life has value too. And that's ultimately where the Christian story is so radically different from just self help messages or inspirational messages. The goal is not to become a stronger, better version of yourself. The goal is to know Christ, to follow him and allow him to use your life for his purpose. And that's the invitation at the heart of no limbs, no limits, this movie.
Nick went from finding despair to delivering hope to millions of others
So Nick, you talked about that kind of gradual, you know, progression from despair to hope. What was the progression like for you from finding hope for yourself to discovering your life's calling to really, in a very unexpected plot twist, deliver that hope to millions and millions of other people?
Nick Vujicic: You know, along my teenage years, there were definitely some people, like my Uncle Sam and some cousins who said, you know, one day you're going to shake hands of presidents. But you know, when I was a teenager, I found that really difficult to believe. and my mom and dad, they encouraged me to stick to the basics and go in math and chess and accounting and financial planning and stock market stuff. And that's ah, kind of where I was going to go. but. But I gave my life to Jesus at age 15 and I, I found healing for my heart, saving for my soul and the renewing of my mind. I still didn't think though, that God could use me to be his hands and feet, to even talk about something I thought was not even for me, which is hope at one stage. And so, I actually, liked to compete in what I could compete in, which was also speaking presentations at school. And the janitor who saw me speak one day, he said, are, you a Christian? I said, yes. He said, I thought so. He said, you're going to go all around the world and speak. And I laughed at him. And I said, speak about what? He said, your story. And I said, I don't have a story. He says, yes, you do. And today I tell people, for as long as you're breathing, your story ain't done yet. Your history is his story. And if we can all share our testimony about who we were, our thoughts, our feelings before we met Christ, how we met Christ and what that means for us today, that's Part of the Great Commission. We're all part of the Great Commission. And each of our stories are God's to share. It's not just for us. And so I didn't realize that. but as I got up in front of a small group of students, I was nervous, my palms were sweaty, my knees were shaking. I didn't know what my story necessarily was. I was just sharing stuff, just raw feelings, thoughts, fears, and how I overcame them one day at a time with the gospel, with the Bible. and so that all of a sudden when I saw people crying, I'm like, wow. Like, either they're just making me feel good that I said something that moving, or, you know, they just, you know, they just. I don't know why they're crying. And I started getting phone calls from this church and that church, and my mom's like, what are you doing? I said, I. I'm just sharing my story. She's like, what's your story? I said, I'm not exactly sure yet, but I'm just, you know, sharing what, what, what I. How I found God and how I found hope and how I got through bullying with the hope of God. And so that's, that's how it started. And it was at age 17 and two years later, I knew that. I knew that. I knew I was born to be a speaker. when a girl came up to me, hugged me, she said, thank you. No one's ever told me that they love me. No one's ever told me that I'm beautiful. The way that I am changed my life. And that's when I knew that's it. God. I'm ready to go out there and let the whole world know that you love them, you're with them, and you've got a plan for them.
Dr. Jessica Peck: You know, what's remarkable, Nick, is that, you know, your circumstances didn't change. And there are some people who may find healing from a certain illness or, or a cure for, for, ah, you know, whatever physical condition may be ailing them. Your circumstances did not change. It was simply your outlook that changed. And when you stepped into ministry, Nick, I've heard you talk so many times about how many ways you've. Encountering you've encountered suffering souls around the world. I. I forget how many you stopped counting at how many hugs that you have given to hurting people. And you would think that in that circumstance, so, you know, your circumstance didn't change. You didn't get healing, and now you stepped into a world where you see Other people suffering. And a lot of people would say, like, that sounds depressing. And yet for you, it's energizing. And it's so unlikely, it's so countercultural, that you find hope in that. What do you hope that people will see from that? That they will find that hope that's not in the happy ending as the world would direct it. It really is like a kingdom perspective. What do you hope people coming to the film will see in that? That. How will they see that hope in the middle of suffering?
Nick Vujicic: You know, I think that we all are, drunk on this culture of let's run away from pain. Let's not have the bigger discussions of what really happened to you, about your abuse or your loneliness or your own bullying situation, or abandonment. it's really helping people process what we do need to process. how did it make us feel when we went through that? What of that circumstance? Am I still needing healing of? And I think this film exposes our own hurts and wounds. Not in a way that makes you feel bad, but contemplates, you know, what if. If a man without arms and legs can dream big and never give up and find healing in his heart and his mind, who was also suicidal, where he realizes, wow, not only can I be thankful for what I have, but I can actually help uplift one other person. That's what's missing in my life. I need that purpose to wake up and say, you know, what if. If. If I can help one person get through what they're getting through and let them know that they're not alone. It's that whole beauty of how God uses us all. And so I think it will also help people walk away from theaters not only feeling like God may have a plan for them and reach out to him. but I feel like also being honest with ourselves in what we're actually dealing with, to then address it, pray over it, and maybe even get counseling for some of these things. We talk about the mental health issue and the need for counseling and loneliness and fear that hijack our emotions a lot in this film. From my mom's perspective, from my siblings perspective, from my perspective. And. And I think we all go through life. Life circumstances are differently, different, but. But we all go through the same journey. Why am I here? What is my value and what's my purpose? That's what I want people to know.
Dr. Jessica Peck: I pray that they will. I really do. And one perspective that we haven't talked about yet is the perspective of your family. You are a very Devoted family man. You are a husband, you're a father. What has it been like? because I know that you want to serve people in the world, but I know your heart as a father, as a husband. What has it been like to share this filmmaking experience, to share your story with your kids? Has it changed the way that you're a dad? Have they learned new parts of your story? Has that. How has that influenced your family dynamic and, and influenced your view as a father and a husband?
Nick Vujicic: Yeah, look, they definitely find out a lot, a lot more about my story than they did not know prior. They're obviously part of Mommy and Daddy's story, and Mommy's interviewed in the story as well. And there were, there are a couple scenes of our kids there as well. but what I, what I want them to understand is they're watching history right now being made in front of their eyes. Where Daddy has traveled 25 years. 11 million people in person have heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. Been 89 countries. There's a lot more people in the world who still haven't heard about Jesus. And a billion people have heard the gospel through our ministry, but there's 8 billion people in the world. What I most am, am excited about is they get to now see Daddy's new season in documentaries, film and animation to come where billions are going to be reached without Daddy needing to go on a plane. And that's what I'm really looking forward to. maximum optimum reach, yet not sacrificing what's most important to me, which is my time away from my family. And so I think this is all hand in hand. Like, we're all really looking forward to hearing how many countries, how many schools, how many churches will never be the same again because they use the ministry tool in their community, even long after it's out of the theaters. And so we want this film to go into countries where there are no cinemas as well. and this is, this is a really cool moment in history in our ministry.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Well, if you're wanting to know how to help with that, you can go to nickvfilms.com that I gave you earlier and find out more about how to access the film, how to take it somewhere, and how to help Nick reach the gospel.
Nick V has a new movie coming out
Nick, I ask you because hearing you talk like this is really remarkable. And I'm thinking of your children. And I'm thinking that, you know, some people would wonder, like, what is it like to, to have a dad who has a disability? But I think your children are uniquely advantaged. And oh, now my, my produce, my team is telling me here we're almost out of time, but just in a minute or so. What do you think your children have gained from your perspective?
Nick Vujicic: I think having a. A dad without limbs ingrains in you an empathy and a sympathy for the world. Because we all go through something and life is not easy. But God is so faithful and he is kind and we all have a gift and talent. Daddy's gift is he happens to be a speaker. and we all though, can be a part of being a gift of hope and light to the world.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Well, amen. Amen. And amen to that. The movie is called no Limbs, no Limits, the Nick V Story It's coming to theaters nationwide September 25th. But again, you can go to nickvfilms.com and find out about getting early tickets. You can see the trailer. You can sign up for updates. I'd encourage families to see it together, not just because it's an inspiring story, although it certainly is, but because it's going to open the doors to some of the most important conversations that you can have as a family. What makes a person valuable? What do we do when life doesn't turn out the way we expected? Can God use our weaknesses? Where does real hope come from? And who gets to tell us who we are and whose we are? They should know. I am created by God. I am loved by God. I belong to Christ, and my life can be used for his purposes. Nick, thank you so much for sharing your story. And as our listeners are thinking about theirs, I pray as I always do, the Lord will bless you and keep you and make his face to shine upon you. Thank you for listening in. We'll see you right back here tomorrow.
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Dr. Jessica Peck: We would like to take a moment to thank our sponsor, PreBorn. When a mother meets her baby on ultrasound and hears their heartbeat, it's a divine connection. And the majority of the time she will choose life. But they can't do it without our help. Preborn needs us, the pro life community, to come alongside them. One ultrasound is just $28. To donate, dial pound 250 and say the keyword baby or visit preborn.com/AFR what if one moment could change a life forever? Every day, mothers facing unplanned pregnancies walk into PreBorn Network clinics searching for hope. Through a free ultrasound, they meet their baby for the very first time. And when they see that tiny life and hear that heartbeat, everything can change.
Dan Steiner: Hey friend. Dan Steiner, president at PreBorn here with a heartfelt thank you. Because you know what? This year so far, your partnership with PreBorn has saved over 50,000 babies and moms from abortion and wouldn't have happened without you. What you are doing together with PreBorn is truly changing generations. Every tax deductible dollar that you give is used to rescue babies lives and lead moms to Jesus Christ. So far this year alone We've seen over 8,000 women give their hearts to Christ. All because you helped with an ultrasound scan for $28 or a machine for $15,000. So thank you. Your caring help so saves lives both for earth and for eternity. God bless you.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Right now, more mothers are waiting for that life changing moment. $28 helps to provide one life saving ultrasound. $140 helps rescue five babies. To donate to help pound 250 and say the keyword baby. That's pound 250 baby or visit preborn.com/AFR that's preborn.com/AFR Every gift is tax- deductible. Hello and welcome to the Dr. Nurse
: Mama show prescribing hope for healthy families here on American Family Radio. Here's your host, professor, pediatric nurse practitioner and mom of four, Dr. Jessica Peck.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Well, hello there friends and welcome to my favorite time of day. And well do I have a treat for you. I am so excited about today's show. Don't go anywhere because we have a great dose of hope for you today.
Most of us spend a tremendous amount of energy trying to fix ourselves in this self help culture
And I have a question to start off. What if that thing that you wish you could change most about yourself, that thing that you think about all the time, that you don't like about yourself that you get frustrated with, that you pray about, what if that is the very thing that God most wants to use to be most impactful in your life. I want you to really think about that. Because most of us spend a tremendous amount of energy trying to fix ourselves in this self help culture. We see self help psychologically, physically, cosmetically. We compare our bodies and our abilities and our accomplishments, our families, our struggles, and quietly wonder, are we enough? It's never seems like it's enough. And our kids are growing up in a culture that's exceptionally good at reinforcing
Dr. Jessica Peck: that security because that insecurity drives marketing.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Let's make you insecure about something and make you aware of a problem in your life, make you discontent about that so you'll purchase a solution.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Social media tells us what we should look like.
Dr. Jessica Peck: An achievement culture tells us what we should accomplish. And comparison tells us who we should be like.
Dr. Jessica Peck: But the gospel tells us something radically different.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Your worth is not something that you have to earn in this world. You were created by God. You are an image bearer of God. And your physical, emotional, psychological, academic, whatever
Dr. Jessica Peck: limitations you have do not limit God. And that's the heart of the story
Dr. Jessica Peck: that we're talking about today.
Nick Vujicic's inspiring story is coming to theaters September 25th
Dr. Jessica Peck: I am so thrilled to welcome back my friend, Nick Vujicic. He was a man born without arms or legs, and he experienced bullying and isolation and depression and some profound questions about whether his life had purpose. But his story did not end with those limitations. Instead, through faith in Jesus, through family, through perseverance, through an extraordinary calling from God, Nick's life is now a global testimony of hope for millions. And that story is now coming to theaters. And no limbs, no limits. The Nick V Story I want you to mark your calendars now. It's coming to theaters September 25th. Start calling people today to make a date to go to the theater and see this story. Because it is not just a movie about overcoming adversity. It is a movie that asks that deeper question. What if the brokenness that you're experiencing in your life isn't the end of your story? It, might be the very beginning. What if God can use the very places that. That you feel most inadequate? And today we are joined by Nick V himself, who has shared the gospel around the world, reaching audiences across numerous countries, speaking on thousands of stages to millions. And he is answering that question, does my life have purpose? Nick, you know, I'm, always so glad to have you here. Thank you so much for spending time with us today.
Nick Vujicic: Jessica, so good to see you. Thank you for having me back on the show. Really excited to reconnect with you.
Nick V's documentary about his life coming to theaters
Dr. Jessica Peck: Well, Nick, I know that you have shared your testimony on Stages. You have written books about your life. What has it meant to see this story coming to film? What has that journey been like for you?
Nick Vujicic: You know, it's kind of surreal. Generally when you get a documentary, feature film about your life, you're either old or you're dead. in my mid-40s and, you know, continuing to travel the world. We just came from, Africa and Kenya, Uganda, Namibia and Zambia, preaching the gospel to 50 million people through Nick V Ministries in May.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Wow.
Nick Vujicic: You know, this, this, this film is an extension of hope. It's a tool that we really believe that God's going to use to heal broken hearts, renew minds and help people find, find, faith. and so the older I get, Jessica, the more I want to be with my beautiful kids and my wife at home. but I still want all 8 billion to hear that God has a plan for them too. And so we're really excited about this and never, seen before home footage done that my mom recorded and incredible interviews as well of people who encouraged me along my way of life and becoming the man of God that I am. But we're so excited that it is coming to theaters. No limbs, no limits.
Nick was born without limbs and attempted suicide at age 10
Dr. Jessica Peck: Well, I'm sure, you know, as you've told your testimony so many times, I'm sure as you've gone back and prepared this for, for film, there probably have been some new revelations that you have, and it's hard to imagine anyone who hasn't seen you encountered your story. But for those maybe who haven't, give us an introduction to your life, your testimony, and maybe share some things that you've learned as, or you've seen as you've made the movie.
Nick Vujicic: Look, you know, being born without limbs in Australia, now living in Texas, being in the United States for the last 22 years, I want everyone to know that this film, in this message is the, the whole term of no limits. it's really. There are no limits as to what God can do with your broken pieces and your yes. And before I gave my yes to God, all I could see were my broken pieces. And I didn't have faith to trust in him. I didn't see the plan that God would have for me. And so being bullied, depressed, anxious, isolated, feeling alone, I attempted suicide at age 10. had a loving home that told me that God loved me, that I'm special, that God's going to plan. But I couldn't see it. And so by the mercy of God, I decided to not go through it. The suicide I Didn't want to leave that pain behind for my parents. But believing that I'd never get married, never be happy, never be independent, never have a purpose filled life that I think was the biggest disability. My unbelief. And I gave my life to God at age 15. Read about the blind man. He got healed. But what was beautiful was he didn't ask Jesus, what's the plan? He just let Jesus do the plan. And if he gives me the plan, then I don't need faith. And so the whole epiphany of the revelation is God can do anything with our yes, and our broken pieces. There are no limits, even to the point that when you don't get a miracle, you can still be one. and then lastly, you'll also see throughout the documentary, even the janitor, who was used by God, who saw me speak in front of my peers at age 17 as the vice president doing a speech. He said, God's going to take you all around the world. You're going to speak, you're going to share your story, and I want to organize your first speech about who you were before you met Christ, how you met Christ, and what that means for you. And that's the beautiful thing, Jessica. It's not just getting through it. It's not just understanding. God can use the circumstance, but he loves to use each other in his plan for one another.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Well, it's been so inspiring, Nick, as I've seen you speak and gotten to know you, to, to be a man who is born without arms or legs, to say that your life's mission is to be the hands and feet of Jesus, to take the gospel to people who are suffering. You've talked about the different kinds of suffering that people have, and it doesn't matter if they had the same kind of suffering that you did or any kind of suffering. I think this movie is going to resonate with God's purpose and suffering. You've seen suffering all around the world. How do you believe that God is going to use your story to give hope to those who feel hopeless?
Nick Vujicic: I think a lot of people will relate to the emotional thoughts that we have. You know what I even love is the fact that within this story there are other people's stories, like my siblings, my, my mum. And what we, depict very in much of a raw form and full transparency is just because you're a Christian, it doesn't mean you have it all together. Just because you believe in God, it doesn't mean that you never have doubts or fear or worries. and so that's what I think is quite beautifully depicted in this entire film where we understand, that God is a God of hope. And, and sometimes you can't see him, you don't feel him, you don't hear him. what do you do when you ask God for a circumstance to change and it doesn't, you know, how do you walk by faith and not by sight. That's the hard journey part where we all need encouragement to keep on pressing in and not giving up and waiting for God to show us the next steps. I think a lot of people are in seasons of waiting for God's clear, direct answers or steps. And even the revelation that when he doesn't change a circumstance, maybe he wants to use it.
Dr. Jessica Peck: That is so encouraging. I, I really can't wait to see it because again, I've, I've read your story, I've heard you give your testimony. But there's something about bringing it to life like you're talking about bringing in the other people and looking at the angles. Because it's not just you, it's your family, it's your parents, like you said, your siblings, the janitor. All of those people have perspective. And I think whether you are suffering or whether you're walking alongside someone who is suffering, that there's going to be encouragement for you. And this film asks, what if the thing you spent your life trying to fix is the very thing God wants to use? How do you hope that that message will resonate and shake the hearts of believers and change the way that they're walking out their faith?
Nick Vujicic: You know, I just love that God uses the foolish things to confound the wise. Like it's only God that, you know, God would use a man without arms and legs to be his hands and feet. That when we don't get a miracle, we can still be one. And when you walk by faith and not by sight, and you put in go you, you just go and sin no more. And you go and you go one day at a time. And you'll have your ups and downs, you'll have your mountains and your valleys, but God's faithfulness and kindness carries us through. And so when you put a G O in front of the word disabled, it actually spells out God is abled to do what to do exceedingly, abundantly, more than you can ever ask, imagine or retain.
Dr. Jessica Peck: My goodness.
Nick Vujicic: You know, when we, when we, when we see that on this side of heaven, we don't know what heaven looks like. But no matter what that Kind of means for us today, it's that one hug in heaven that we're gonna get from a person that will say, thank you for being my friend. Thank you for listening to me when I needed a, listening ear. Thank you for being in my small group. Thank you for checking in with me and letting me know that you're praying for me. You gave me that faith to believe that this place called heaven was real. And so that's what it's all about. It's not about achieving anything on this side of heaven or having anything or experience on this side of heaven. It's about understanding that God has a plan for each and every one of us, and we're all part of that tapestry.
Nick Vujicic shares his testimony about living with a disability
Dr. Jessica Peck: Well, one of the things I really appreciate about your testimony, Nick, is that you don't pretend that the hard things aren't hard. You don't pretend that. Okay, yes, like, you know, this is the happy ending. You share the mountaintops and the valleys and the challenges and the struggles and the victories. What does it look like to be authentic in that and then still say what you're saying? Like, I still have hope. Even though you're still living in the reality of the limitations that are here. But you say no limits.
Dr. Jessica Peck: How.
Dr. Jessica Peck: How do you live in that reality? Just how do you live in the reality of the hope that you're having despite the reality of the suffering that you're still going to face here on earth?
Nick Vujicic: You know, the Bible says that, that we are to die to ourselves every single day to carry our cross and, and, and follow Jesus and whatever that means. I, I don't know what that means for some of your viewers and your listeners. And I don't. I don't pretend to know their pain at all. But it's a daily reminder of what Jesus went through. For me, it's a daily reminder of. Let's say that I'm going through some difficulties of believing that I have value. Well, you go on back to the bible then. Psalm 139. I'm wonderfully and fearfully made. And to combat the, the lies, you can only combat the lies with the truth that when the voice says you're not good enough, or God doesn't care about you, or he's forgotten you, we can remind ourselves of the daily truths that, that those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. That doesn't always mean that, we're waiting for a plan to be given as a blueprint downloaded to us. it doesn't mean that God always changes a physical circumstance. but his grace is sufficient and his power is made perfect in weakness. and I love the fact that I'm an illustration, if you will, of, what would seem as brokenness to anyone. You can see my disability, but you can also see that there is something of strength and peace and resilience in me that goes beyond motivation. That goes beyond.
Dr. Jessica Peck: I'll tell you, Nick, I definitely see that. I'm going to hold you right there. We're already at our first break, but when we come back, we'll talk more about that. And Nick, I know you're such a champion for the unborn, and we'll talk about what your testimony means for life everywhere. We'll be right back with more from Nick Vujicic.
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Peace Be Still by Hope Darst: I don't want to be afraid if you Every time I face the waves I don't want to be afraid I don't want to be afraid and I don't want to fear the storm Just because I hear it roar I don't want to fear the storm I don't want to fear the storm? Peace be still Save the world and I will set my feet upon the sea Till I'm dead sitting in the deep Peace be still you are here so it is well, even when my, eyes can see I will trust the voice that.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Welcome back, friends. That is Peace, Be still by Hope Darst.
Nick Vujicic was born with no arms or legs
And no matter what you're facing today, you may be frustrated by some limitations that you feel like you have. If that is you, or even if it's not, if you are listening, I want you to put September 25th on your calendar. Take your friends, take your family to see the new movie coming out called no Limbs, no limits. The Nick V Story. This is the story of Nick Vujicic, a man who was born in Australia with no arms or legs, but who has been given the mission of being the hands and feet of God. And there is a peace. And Nick, a, joy. And Nick, that is, that draws the world in, because by the world standard, he shouldn't have peace or joy. And this conversation that is going to happen after this movie is really going to center on where do you believe that your worth comes from? And this movie is going to give you hope that our worth comes from God. We are image bearers of God. And especially as parents, we want our kids to believe in themselves. And when we get married and you have dreams of starting a family, you have specific vision of what that's going to look like. But there are truths that we need to teach our children that they don't have to believe in themselves nearly as much as they need to know who they belong to. And in this achievement culture, that can be hard. But achievement changes. Abilities change, appearances change, popularity change, circumstances change. But the image of God stamped on a human life does not disappear when those circumstances change. Nick just talked about Psalm 139 being fearfully and wonderfully made. And Nick, this is a. This is a topic that is. It really seems to be happening more and more as we talk about the sanctity of human life. And recently there was a very popular influencer who talked about he and his wife's decision to abort their baby when they found out their prenatal diagnosis of down syndrome. And I imagine that this is an especially difficult or challenging conversation for you to watch, given, you know, your position and what medical professionals advised your parents before you were born. How does this. How what would you speak from your position, your perspective? I know you're such a champion for the, unborn. How do you think that your story will help to help us look at how we see and judge the quality of life?
Nick Vujicic: Yeah, you know, my parents always said that they, they knew that, in their mind, in their heart, that if they found out that I was going to be born with this disability. My parents were church leaders actually, at the time, and, they told me that. Nick, you know, we know that God. God always has a plan for every single child. And I, I think it's by the mercy of God protecting their heart and their mind at the point of pregnancy, that they did not know that I was going to be born this way yet. Understanding that every child in the womb, with or without a disability, we all have a given, God given purpose and plan. And some of it we don't understand. There is going to be some questions, Jessica, we're not going to know the answers to until we get home. but definitely, very disappointing that there are some countries out there that have had a national press conference to say that we've cured our nation of down syndrome. And, and it's just, it's. It's so disheartening. To believe that, that we can depict someone's value based on what we think a quality of life is or life itself. because that's when we really are not understanding the mysteries of God. God created life and God could give me arms and legs. God could heal someone of down syndrome. But if he doesn't change the circumstance, he'll use our circumstances. And I tell you, some of the most beautiful people that I've ever met that encourage me, are people with down syndrome. There's different disabilities out there, different spectrums of handicaps, from intellectual disabilities to, physical disabilities. And then people who are born what we would call normal and then something else happens during life. We can't predict the future, nor can we play God. And so, the ability to be able to go and address 37 presidents in 10 national governments, three of which change their, pro life laws protecting babies with different types of disabilities to know that every baby has value. And again, no limbs, no limits isn't depicted just for anyone that has a disability or who could relate to it. A life without limbs. It's all about the disabilities of the heart and the mind, of, of the lack of belief or the lack of truth to know that God does give, you the strength, you know, you don't need, don't have. And he'll give you the strength you need to not just get through it. But I'm going to tell you right now, yeah, I would love arms and legs and yeah, I have pairs of shoes in my closet just in case. But the fact that I can, I can encourage one person listening who has thought of committing suicide, the person who has been sexually abused, or mentally abused or bullied in some kind of way. This is the bullying. The root of all bullying comes from the enemy saying, you're not good enough, you're an accident, and there is no hope or purpose for you. And we all unfortunately go through those times of testing and doubt when we think of these things.
Dr. Jessica Peck: You know, you and I have had this conversation before, how some people have disabilities who are visible to others. Just like you said, people can look at you and your disability is visible. There are so many people, I love how you just said that, who have disabilities of the heart. And I think of that, that's the tragic moment that you must have had when you consider taking your own life. But Nick, there are plenty of people who are perfectly abled on the outside who have disabilities of the heart who are still at that point of desperation of wanting to take their own lives. And, but I. I think that the parents of children born with disabilities that are more visible to the world, they have fears and they have insecurities, and it's difficult to walk through those challenges that you see and to see your child struggle in that way. How do you. First of all, how would you speak to parents who do have children with disabilities? Now you're an adult. You had parents who loved you, who gave you the right message, who told you God loved you, and yet you still struggled, and yet you still found the hope. How would you encourage parents of children who are in that moment, right now, who maybe are questioning their decisions, who are just struggling? What would you say to give them hope and encouragement?
Nick Vujicic: My dad, Boris Vujicic, wrote a book called Raising the Perfectly Imperfect Child. And he outlined some parental outlines and points that. That really bolstered their, ground and footings to build the foundation for me. but it was always going back to an attitude of gratitude. Be thankful for what you do have. And in that, you. You help them understand as well that there are other people out there that are going through difficult, different things as well. My parents always exposed me to other people that have even less than me. M. So that I can actually see, oh, yeah, I could count my blessings. Not just the fact that I have a loving family, but to understand that there are other people that have less than me. The other thing is, getting counseling. They encouraged me to talk out my feelings. Sometimes you'll talk to your parents, sometimes you won't as a kid at all. But, surrounding them with community, I think helped me, with church, a couple neighbors. You only need a couple friends to get through the difficulties, just to sometimes be a listening ear and to build a bridge of friendship, to do something that has nothing to do with me, how I feel, and, you know, just having fun, you know, exploring, different ways and how you can still enjoy some parts of what you can do instead of focusing on what you can't do. so we went fishing, we went boating. I went swimming. I was in different clubs and trying to take chess clubs, right? Like, trying to get my mind off what I can't change and focus on what I can excel in. and then lastly, to the parents, be persistent farmers. Get those seeds of hope and faith and love and continue to shower them with positivity, affirmation, and scriptures of the word of God, where you are telling them whether the seed takes root or not. You're beautiful. You're beautiful. You're beautiful. You're beautiful. You're special. You're special. You're special. and I, and I think that that in itself, is, is, is so beautiful, because even though there were times I didn't want to receive it, didn't want to hear it, I needed to realize it myself. It was actually when I was placed in a position where I could actually help at least another person, I knew that I could make money vacuuming the floor with my shoulder on my chin, giving away some pocket money to help an orphan that has no home in Papua New Guinea. So it just all comes together in persistence, taking one day at a time, not pretending that you know all the answers, but trying to build and bolster that community around that child as much as possible as well.
Dr. Jessica Peck: I love how you talk about, you know, being a good farmer. That was so good because planting those seeds takes time. It takes time for them to grow. And when I think back to 10 year old Nick and the desperation that you felt and then now, you know, in your 40s Nick, and, and having a grounded perspective of being made in the image of God and, and rejoicing in your limitations and letting God use those even while embracing all of the imperfect. What are we going to see in the film, Nick, about that transition? Is that a slow transition that happens? Is there a milestone moment? Without giving too much away, what is that transition going to be like? I think that will be really helpful and instructive for families who are walking in the middle of that journey right now.
Nick Vujicic: You know, I believe whether your, your child has a disability or not, it's, it's always that journey of, of helping your own kid, wanting to not give up. Just having them wake up and say, I have something to live for or I, don't feel as lonely as I was before. This whole film, the first half of it, helps people to understand the canvas and the tapestry of those people around me. My mom, my brother, my sister. We talk a lot about my dad who graduated to heaven in 2017. We talk about the people that encouraged me along the way, but still the depths of, of discouragement in, in a way that I think relates to everyone. I think that attitude of gratitude was the first kind of depicting moment after the attempted suicide. I do talk about that. but really it's, it's a decision of God, help my unbelief. And you could say that in three sentences, this is how I came to Christ. But in the movie, it moves you to understand what it did take as a family to give Nick every Opportunity to know and feel that he was loved. Not knowing what he could do, what he cannot do, giving him chances to fail, allowing him not to be protected from the world when the bullying was really hard, and allowing him to grow through that. You see, we don't just go through life with. We grow through life. And so that whole journey, it was a slow growth, to answer your question, it was a slow turnaround. It was a gradual maturing process, but with sharp days and sharp lonely nights where I had questions and no one had any answers. And these are the times and seasons where we wanted to highlight because I think we all can relate to that. Many times we feel alone or just no one has any words to. To make you feel better when you are on the floor.
Dr. Jessica Peck: So much of that is not feeling alone. And Nick, I think you're absolutely right. I think, you know, limbs are not external. Disabilities are not those disabilities of the heart. I think sometimes those can be even more challenging to seek healing from because you can hide them better. And so many people live in secrecy and shame and see stigma rather than doing those things that you talked about in your slow growth journey, surrounding yourself with people who will speak words of life to you, who will speak tough truths to you, who will, like you said, allow you to be exposed to bullying, even when that's really hard, and help you to navigate that. And I hope that people who will go and see this film will consider, Do I have a disability of the heart? Even if I'm thinking I don't have a disability on the Xbox on the outside, do I have a disability of the heart? And what can God do with that? You referenced before Psalm 139 telling us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. And I think this is a message that we need to be giving each other, that we do not have to earn our worth in God. We are made in the image of God. Ephesians 2:10, that you've already referenced says that we are God's workmanship created for good works. He. He prepared for us. And that identity comes before any achievement that we have. I think there is. That is a message our children desperately need. And so I want to remind you this movie is coming to theaters September 25th. Don't just watch it as a story about Nick. Watch it through the eyes of your kids and then talk about it. What did Nick believe about himself? What did Nick believe about God? What do you believe make someone valuable? What limitations are you afraid might define you? And most of all, where do you see God? At work in your own story. We'll hear more of Nick V's story when we come back right after this break. And my father, your great grandfather, fought in World War II. Really? He was a gunner on the big ship out in the Pacific Ocean. Wow. Your great grandmother did her part, too. Was she on a ship? Oh, no. She stayed back home. She and a lot of her friends worked really hard in a factory because the men had gone off to war and they held scrap metal drives to help in the war effort. The folks back home were heroes, too.
Jeff Chamblee: Here at the American Family association, we consider you the heroes back home as you fulfill your responsibility of caring for your family day to day. Your partnership with us is crucial as we fight the enemies of freedom in America. Thank you for your commitment to the American Family Association. Grandpa, what's a scrap metal drive? Let's get some cookies and I'll tell you all about it.
Lead Me to the Cross by Brooke Fraser and Hillsong UNITED: Savior, I come quiet my soul remember. Redemption's hill where your blood was Spill my ransom everything I want sh I count to it all as long. Lead me to the cross where you have fallen. Bring me to my knees. Lord, I lay me down r me of myself I belong to you me m Lead me to the cross.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Welcome back, friends. That is Lead Me to the Cross by Brooke Fraser and Hillsong United. And I'm talking today to my friend Nick Vujicic, Nick V. Ministries, about the movie that's coming out about his life now. It releases September 25, but he has shared with me. If you go to nickvfilms.com and we'll put this in the show notes nickvfilms.com you can see the trailer for this movie and you can also sign up for emails about early tickets. I really encourage you to get a group to go together. If you teach a high school small group, if you coach a youth team, take those kids to see this movie and have conversation after it. Don't just see it as, oh, isn't that an inspiring story. That Nick, he's amazing. I agree. And I think that Nick, he's right here with me today, would tell you don't just go to see it as a story of his life, but see it as an inspiration for your own. Have questions with kids to talk about purpose and meaning. Kids today are looking for purpose and meaning. And I know Nick has spoken to to many, many, many high school students who are looking for that who are feeling pain. Maybe they don't have a disability that's exciting external, but they have what Nick has called a disability of the Heart. This is a conversation that goes beyond resilience, because resilience just asks, can I bounce back? Can I get through this? Purpose? Ask, what am I going to do with what God has entrusted to me? And Nick's story, it really moves from survival into purpose, from living a life of service, from, from asking does my life have value? To your life telling other people that their life has value too. And that's ultimately where the Christian story is so radically different from just self help messages or inspirational messages. The goal is not to become a stronger, better version of yourself. The goal is to know Christ, to follow him and allow him to use your life for his purpose. And that's the invitation at the heart of no limbs, no limits, this movie.
Nick went from finding despair to delivering hope to millions of others
So Nick, you talked about that kind of gradual, you know, progression from despair to hope. What was the progression like for you from finding hope for yourself to discovering your life's calling to really, in a very unexpected plot twist, deliver that hope to millions and millions of other people?
Nick Vujicic: You know, along my teenage years, there were definitely some people, like my Uncle Sam and some cousins who said, you know, one day you're going to shake hands of presidents. But you know, when I was a teenager, I found that really difficult to believe. and my mom and dad, they encouraged me to stick to the basics and go in math and chess and accounting and financial planning and stock market stuff. And that's ah, kind of where I was going to go. but. But I gave my life to Jesus at age 15 and I, I found healing for my heart, saving for my soul and the renewing of my mind. I still didn't think though, that God could use me to be his hands and feet, to even talk about something I thought was not even for me, which is hope at one stage. And so, I actually, liked to compete in what I could compete in, which was also speaking presentations at school. And the janitor who saw me speak one day, he said, are, you a Christian? I said, yes. He said, I thought so. He said, you're going to go all around the world and speak. And I laughed at him. And I said, speak about what? He said, your story. And I said, I don't have a story. He says, yes, you do. And today I tell people, for as long as you're breathing, your story ain't done yet. Your history is his story. And if we can all share our testimony about who we were, our thoughts, our feelings before we met Christ, how we met Christ and what that means for us today, that's Part of the Great Commission. We're all part of the Great Commission. And each of our stories are God's to share. It's not just for us. And so I didn't realize that. but as I got up in front of a small group of students, I was nervous, my palms were sweaty, my knees were shaking. I didn't know what my story necessarily was. I was just sharing stuff, just raw feelings, thoughts, fears, and how I overcame them one day at a time with the gospel, with the Bible. and so that all of a sudden when I saw people crying, I'm like, wow. Like, either they're just making me feel good that I said something that moving, or, you know, they just, you know, they just. I don't know why they're crying. And I started getting phone calls from this church and that church, and my mom's like, what are you doing? I said, I. I'm just sharing my story. She's like, what's your story? I said, I'm not exactly sure yet, but I'm just, you know, sharing what, what, what I. How I found God and how I found hope and how I got through bullying with the hope of God. And so that's, that's how it started. And it was at age 17 and two years later, I knew that. I knew that. I knew I was born to be a speaker. when a girl came up to me, hugged me, she said, thank you. No one's ever told me that they love me. No one's ever told me that I'm beautiful. The way that I am changed my life. And that's when I knew that's it. God. I'm ready to go out there and let the whole world know that you love them, you're with them, and you've got a plan for them.
Dr. Jessica Peck: You know, what's remarkable, Nick, is that, you know, your circumstances didn't change. And there are some people who may find healing from a certain illness or, or a cure for, for, ah, you know, whatever physical condition may be ailing them. Your circumstances did not change. It was simply your outlook that changed. And when you stepped into ministry, Nick, I've heard you talk so many times about how many ways you've. Encountering you've encountered suffering souls around the world. I. I forget how many you stopped counting at how many hugs that you have given to hurting people. And you would think that in that circumstance, so, you know, your circumstance didn't change. You didn't get healing, and now you stepped into a world where you see Other people suffering. And a lot of people would say, like, that sounds depressing. And yet for you, it's energizing. And it's so unlikely, it's so countercultural, that you find hope in that. What do you hope that people will see from that? That they will find that hope that's not in the happy ending as the world would direct it. It really is like a kingdom perspective. What do you hope people coming to the film will see in that? That. How will they see that hope in the middle of suffering?
Nick Vujicic: You know, I think that we all are, drunk on this culture of let's run away from pain. Let's not have the bigger discussions of what really happened to you, about your abuse or your loneliness or your own bullying situation, or abandonment. it's really helping people process what we do need to process. how did it make us feel when we went through that? What of that circumstance? Am I still needing healing of? And I think this film exposes our own hurts and wounds. Not in a way that makes you feel bad, but contemplates, you know, what if. If a man without arms and legs can dream big and never give up and find healing in his heart and his mind, who was also suicidal, where he realizes, wow, not only can I be thankful for what I have, but I can actually help uplift one other person. That's what's missing in my life. I need that purpose to wake up and say, you know, what if. If. If I can help one person get through what they're getting through and let them know that they're not alone. It's that whole beauty of how God uses us all. And so I think it will also help people walk away from theaters not only feeling like God may have a plan for them and reach out to him. but I feel like also being honest with ourselves in what we're actually dealing with, to then address it, pray over it, and maybe even get counseling for some of these things. We talk about the mental health issue and the need for counseling and loneliness and fear that hijack our emotions a lot in this film. From my mom's perspective, from my siblings perspective, from my perspective. And. And I think we all go through life. Life circumstances are differently, different, but. But we all go through the same journey. Why am I here? What is my value and what's my purpose? That's what I want people to know.
Dr. Jessica Peck: I pray that they will. I really do. And one perspective that we haven't talked about yet is the perspective of your family. You are a very Devoted family man. You are a husband, you're a father. What has it been like? because I know that you want to serve people in the world, but I know your heart as a father, as a husband. What has it been like to share this filmmaking experience, to share your story with your kids? Has it changed the way that you're a dad? Have they learned new parts of your story? Has that. How has that influenced your family dynamic and, and influenced your view as a father and a husband?
Nick Vujicic: Yeah, look, they definitely find out a lot, a lot more about my story than they did not know prior. They're obviously part of Mommy and Daddy's story, and Mommy's interviewed in the story as well. And there were, there are a couple scenes of our kids there as well. but what I, what I want them to understand is they're watching history right now being made in front of their eyes. Where Daddy has traveled 25 years. 11 million people in person have heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. Been 89 countries. There's a lot more people in the world who still haven't heard about Jesus. And a billion people have heard the gospel through our ministry, but there's 8 billion people in the world. What I most am, am excited about is they get to now see Daddy's new season in documentaries, film and animation to come where billions are going to be reached without Daddy needing to go on a plane. And that's what I'm really looking forward to. maximum optimum reach, yet not sacrificing what's most important to me, which is my time away from my family. And so I think this is all hand in hand. Like, we're all really looking forward to hearing how many countries, how many schools, how many churches will never be the same again because they use the ministry tool in their community, even long after it's out of the theaters. And so we want this film to go into countries where there are no cinemas as well. and this is, this is a really cool moment in history in our ministry.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Well, if you're wanting to know how to help with that, you can go to nickvfilms.com that I gave you earlier and find out more about how to access the film, how to take it somewhere, and how to help Nick reach the gospel.
Nick V has a new movie coming out
Nick, I ask you because hearing you talk like this is really remarkable. And I'm thinking of your children. And I'm thinking that, you know, some people would wonder, like, what is it like to, to have a dad who has a disability? But I think your children are uniquely advantaged. And oh, now my, my produce, my team is telling me here we're almost out of time, but just in a minute or so. What do you think your children have gained from your perspective?
Nick Vujicic: I think having a. A dad without limbs ingrains in you an empathy and a sympathy for the world. Because we all go through something and life is not easy. But God is so faithful and he is kind and we all have a gift and talent. Daddy's gift is he happens to be a speaker. and we all though, can be a part of being a gift of hope and light to the world.
Dr. Jessica Peck: Well, amen. Amen. And amen to that. The movie is called no Limbs, no Limits, the Nick V Story It's coming to theaters nationwide September 25th. But again, you can go to nickvfilms.com and find out about getting early tickets. You can see the trailer. You can sign up for updates. I'd encourage families to see it together, not just because it's an inspiring story, although it certainly is, but because it's going to open the doors to some of the most important conversations that you can have as a family. What makes a person valuable? What do we do when life doesn't turn out the way we expected? Can God use our weaknesses? Where does real hope come from? And who gets to tell us who we are and whose we are? They should know. I am created by God. I am loved by God. I belong to Christ, and my life can be used for his purposes. Nick, thank you so much for sharing your story. And as our listeners are thinking about theirs, I pray as I always do, the Lord will bless you and keep you and make his face to shine upon you. Thank you for listening in. We'll see you right back here tomorrow.
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Jeff Chamblee: opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.
Jessica welcomes Nick Vujicic to the show to talk about the movie that documents his life entitled "No Limbs, No Limits"
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Chapters:
(00:00) We would like to take a moment to thank our sponsor, PreBorn
(02:14) Most of us spend a tremendous amount of energy trying to fix ourselves in this self help culture
(03:46) Nick Vujicic's inspiring story is coming to theaters September 25th
(05:20) Nick V's documentary about his life coming to theaters
(06:48) Nick was born without limbs and attempted suicide at age 10
(13:58) Nick Vujicic shares his testimony about living with a disability
(16:43) American Family Radio is listener supported; without people like you, this podcast would not exist
(18:15) Nick Vujicic was born with no arms or legs
(38:47) Nick went from finding despair to delivering hope to millions of others
(49:12) Nick V has a new movie coming out
(51:17) Preborn has rescued over 400,000 babies from abortion
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