TELL GOD WHERE IT HURTS…
“When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed? John 5:6 ESV
Do you want to be healed? In John 5, Jesus asks a man who has been ill for thirty-eight years, ” Do you want to be whole?” The question implies we can choose to be made whole or not. Moreover, to receive healing, the verse suggests that we must make the decision to be healed. An initial thought that comes to mind is, why would someone deny himself or herself the opportunity of being healed? Unfortunately, many of us are guilty of saying no to the healing God has for us. The rejection is evident in our behavior due to an unhealthy mindset. An unhealthy mindset is governed by anything other than the Spirit of God, which hinders us from properly responding to the Lord’s plea to heal. Notice in verse 7 of the same passage, the man did not answer the question. He was focusing on why he was not healed rather than the expectation of being healed. Something to consider, are we rejecting healing in our lives’ circumstances that require it because of our own denial as a result of fabricated truth?
“The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going, another steps down before me.” John 5:7
I wonder how many of us are guilty of presenting a magnitude of excuses for why we continue to maintain unhealthy relationships, cultivate debilitating thoughts, or refuse to rid ourselves of self-defeating behaviors. Knowingly and sometimes unknowingly, we contribute to unnecessary hurt by choice. We say we believe God wants better for us, but we fail to take the steps towards healing because of overwhelming excuses. Our actions raise the question of whether we truly believe in God.
Faith without works is not faith. True belief is expressed in action. Authentic faith encourages us to take a stand and take what we believe. I believe God loves me because the bible tells me so. Since I know He loves me, I’ll embrace the Word of Truth. In embracing His truth, I trust God to perform according to His Word. Perhaps the lack of action suggests that a person ultimately does not believe healing is possible? I propose that fear is among the top reasons we do not make an effort to be healed from what ails us… fear of being alone, fear of rejection, fear of criticism, and fear of the unknown. As a result of fear, like the man in the passage, we remain in hurtful circumstances for lengthy periods of time. According to the scriptures, this situation has persisted for thirty-eight years. It may appear as if he did not want to be healed. He had become comfortable with being not comfortable. Despite the man’s predicament and even our difficulties, Jesus can interrupt what has become the norm to bring about healing.
“Healing begins when we make the decision to be healed”_ASA
Chronicles of ASA 