by In my 37 years of church attendance, I’ve never heard a sermon about ADHD. When I was growing up in the 90s, ADHD was just “that one weird kid who couldn’t control himself.” The kid interrupting the teacher, making everyone lose focus. The “bad kid” on “that weird pill.” Thankfully, we are beginning to break those stereotypes!
But ADHD isn’t new, and it’s not rare. About 11% of children ages 3-17 have been diagnosed with it. It has a strong genetic component, being an inherited disorder. And like depression and anxiety, it’s caused by over- or under-activation of certain brain structures and a decrease in specific neurotransmitters. The science of it all is just a Google-search away.
The ADHD Experience: Romans 7
For people with ADHD, Paul’s words in Romans 7 (The Message) perfectly capture their inner struggle:
“What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can’t be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God’s command is necessary.
“But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.”
People with ADHD often get labeled as lazy. They have this “demand avoidance response” – even if they tell themselves to do something, they resist. “I know I need to clean my room. I know I need to answer that email. But while it looks like I’m just scrolling TikTok, I’m fighting an inner battle.”
It’s like having 57 browser tabs open – one playing music, pop-ups everywhere – and no way to shut it off.
The Good, the Bad, the Confusing
Executive Dysfunction
ADHD involves dysregulation of executive function – the high-level brain processes handling decision-making, to-do lists, and organization. This negatively affects attention, concentration, memory, motivation, effort, learning from mistakes, impulsivity, hyperactivity, organization, and social skills.
As Brooke Hazelgrove writes: “There isn’t always enough fuel in an ADHD brain to make decisions, carrying out tasks, or keeping your emotions in check. Furthermore, the difficulty with choosing what you’ll focus on can make it difficult to use this fuel responsively… The result is impulsive behavior and decision paralysis, unfinished tasks, last-minute everything (no matter how hard you plan), and intense emotional responses.”
SOURCE: https://ccl.moore.edu.au/resources/late-adhd-diagnosis-brooke-hazelgrove/
Different Types of ADHD
If you’ve met one person with ADHD, you’ve met one person with ADHD. Each person is unique in their own way. And while there used to be a distinction between ADD and ADHD, now it’s all classified as ADHD with three main sub-types:
- Inattentive type: Difficulty planning or completing tasks, following directions, or remembering routines. Often how ADHD presents in girls and women.
- Hyperactive type: These kids talk a lot, interrupt others, fidget, grab things, and have difficulty sitting still. “It’s like they need a jungle gym instead of a classroom.”
- Combined type: Shows symptoms of both inattentive and hyperactive ADHD.
Why We Need People with ADHD
We need our ADHD friends for several reasons:
- Pattern recognition: They see patterns in behavior and the world that most “normies” miss.
- Vibe checks: You can trust their judgment of character and situations.
- Creativity: Their outside-the-box thinking produces solutions we’d never imagine.
- Hyperfocus: They might have a new hobby every few weeks, but they’ll know more about it than anyone you’ve ever met.
- Clutch under pressure: They can perform under pressure better than most.
- Loyalty: They’re ride-or-die friends (but you may need to remind them you exist).
As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:4-7:
“There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. There are different activities, but the same God produces each gift in each person. A manifestation of the Spirit has been given to each person for the common good.”
I won’t call ADHD a superpower – it can feel more like a struggle. But we need people with ADHD to know they belong because they have gifts and talents the rest of us don’t!
What Can Help?
For your mind: For most people, a combination of therapy and medication works best. If a stimulant medication works, that confirms ADHD – it stimulates the executive function parts of the brain, making it easier to concentrate.
For your body: Exercise, healthy diet, and proper sleep. Set reminders on your phone for meals, water, bed time, etc.
For your spirit: Lean into the creative work of the Spirit and find ways to worship through all your senses. And if you’re wondering where to start with Scripture, try the Gospel of Mark – it’s fast-paced and action-oriented. (Did Peter or Mark have ADHD? The original ending cuts off abruptly, and Mark might be the guy who ran away naked when Jesus was arrested. If that’s not something an ADHD kid would do, I don’t know what is!)
For your relationships: Remember that people love you and accept you just the way you are. Keep reminders of those people around you.
Words from ADHD Christians
- “In trying times, it’s our faith that God has a plan for us that keeps things in perspective. Adults and children with ADHD have many gifts that can bless others.”
- “My faith strengthens my ability to deal with everything, including my inattentive ADHD. I ask God several times a day to keep me focused and on track with my daily activities. When I sit down to read my Bible or listen to a sermon, my mind runs down little “bunny trails” that are opened up by what is being said or what I am reading.”
- “One of my daughter’s favorite thoughts about her ADHD is that God does not make mistakes. He has a very special plan for her in life.”
- “The Serenity Prayer keeps things in perspective in dealing with my ADHD. Recognizing that some things are beyond my control helps me calm down – and when I’m calmer, I manage my symptoms better. I also say to myself, ‘This too shall pass.’ Things might suck today, but there is a chance that they will be better tomorrow.”
- “ADHD has always set me apart from others, but my faith keeps me anchored in the knowledge that, even if no one else understands me, God does.”
- “Although ADHD sometimes keeps me from staying on track according to my time line, I may be right on time on God’s time line.”
SOURCE: https://www.additudemag.com/faith-hope-adhd-prayer-religion-help/
Our Final Truth
Just because you don’t fit someone else’s expectations doesn’t mean God is mad at you. As Paul concludes Romans 7 and begins chapter 8:
“Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord… Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
You don’t have to feel guilt or shame. God sees you as the special, unique person you are, and in Christ, there is no condemnation. Amen!
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Daniel N. Lee 