Nick Vujicic - Unstoppable: The Incredible Power of Faith in Action

Life Without Limits

U NSTOPPABLE
P UBLISHED BY W ATER B ROOK P RESS
12265 Oracle Boulevard, Suite 200
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80921

This book is not intended to replace or substitute the diagnosis, evaluation, or advice of a health-care professional. Readers are advised to consult a physician, therapist, or other qualified health-care professional regarding diagnosis or treatment of their health problems. The author and publisher specifically disclaim liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use or application of any of the contents of this book.

Scripture quotations are taken or paraphrased from the following versions: King James Version. The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Italics in Scripture quotations reflect the authors added emphasis.

Details in some anecdotes and stories have been changed to protect the identities of the persons involved.

Copyright 2012 by Nicholas James Vujicic

Cover design by Kristopher K. Orr; cover photography by Allen Mozo

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Published in the United States by WaterBrook Multnomah, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House Inc., New York.

W ATER B ROOK and its deer colophon are registered trademarks of Random House Inc.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Vujicic, Nick.
Unstoppable : the incredible power of faith in action / Nick Vujicic. 1st ed.
p. cm.
eISBN: 978-0-307-73090-9
1. Faith. 2. EncouragementReligious aspectsChristianity 3. InspirationReligious aspectsChristianity. 4. SuccessReligious aspectsChristianity. I. Title.
BV4637.V625 2012
248.86dc23

2012013071

v3.1

W ELCOME TO MY SECOND BOOK . M Y NAME IS N ICK V UJICIC ( PRONOUNCED Voo-yi-chich). Even if you did not read my first book, Life Without Limits, you may have seen my videos on YouTube or attended one of my appearances around the world as an inspirational speaker and evangelist.

As you probably know or can see from my cover photograph, I was born without arms or legs. What you cannot see but might have sensed already is that my lack of limbs has not kept me from enjoying great adventures, a fulfilling and meaningful career, and loving relationships. In this book my goal is to share with you the unstoppable power of faith in action that has helped me create my own ridiculously good life, despite my disabilities.

Putting faith in action is about believing and achieving. Its about having faith in yourself, your talents, your purpose, and, most of all, in Gods love and His divine plan for your life.

This book was inspired by the many people of all ages from around the world whove asked me for advice and guidance in dealing with specific challenges in their own lives. They know from my speeches that I have overcome adversities, including my youthful thoughts of suicide, concerns about being able to support myself and whether Id ever find a woman to love me, my experiences with bullying, and other issues and insecurities that are not unique to me by any means.

The chapter topics address the most common questions and challenges people raise when they speak and write to me, including

personal crises

relationship issues

career and job challenges

health and disability concerns

self-destructive thoughts, emotions, and addictions

bullying, persecution, cruelty, and intolerance

dealing with matters beyond our control

how to reach out and serve others

finding balance in body, mind, heart, and spirit

I hope that sharing my stories and those of others who have persevered through their own trials and hardshipsmany of them far greater than minewill help and inspire you to overcome whatever challenges you face. I dont have all the answers, of course. But I have benefitted from wonderful advice from many wise people as well as the love and blessings of my heavenly Father.

I think you will find the guidance in these pages practical as well as inspiring. Its important to keep in mind as you read that you are never alone. Help is available from friends, family members, teachers, counselors, and clergy. Dont think you have to handle your burdens by yourself.

Remember, too, that there are probably many others whove faced and met the same challenges you encounter. This book also will share the stories of people I know and stories from others who have written to me to share their experiences. In some cases Ive changed their names, but the stories are authentic and always inspiring for the courage, faith, and perseverance they exhibit.

As a boy trying to come to terms with my disabilities, I made the mistake of thinking no one else hurt like I did and that my problems were insurmountable. I thought that my lack of limbs was proof that God did not love me and that my life had no purpose. I also felt that I could not share my burdenseven with those who loved and cared about me.

I was wrong on all counts. I was not alone in my suffering. In fact, many people have dealt with challenges that surpass mine. And God not only loves me, He created me for purposes that I never could have envisioned as a child. He uses me in ways that continue to surprise and amaze me each and every day.

Know that as long as you are on this earth, there is a purpose and a plan for you too. God loves you, and there are many people around youloved ones and professionalswilling to help you with your challenges. The burdens you carry may seem daunting, but as you will see in the pages that follow, the power of faith in action is truly incredible.

To begin to understand this, simply keep in mind that this man with no arms and no legs travels the world, reaching out to millions of people, while blessed with joy and love beyond measure. I am as imperfect as anyone you will ever meet. I have good days and bad. Challenges rise up and knock me flat on occasion. Yet I know that where I am weak, God is strong, and when we put faith into action, we are unstoppable.

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