Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years.When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.

John 5:5-9

Many times in life we can find ourselves in a long term situation where we want out, but have become so familiar with the situation, that we do not even realize our identity has become attached to it.   We unwittingly begin to possess a mindset filled with all the reasons why things have not changed or cannot change and who is responsible for our shortcomings.

In this story, we see that Jesus was completely aware of the long term situation, and yet asks the man a very simple question, “Do you want to be made well?”

The man responds the way many of us do when faced with the same type of request. He immediately went to “why” he couldn’t be healed instead of answering “IF” he wanted to be healed.

To receive what Jesus had for him, the man had to forsake all of those mindsets that held him captive to his illness/condition.  He had to forsake the mindset that said, “”It’s been so long, things will never change.”  He had to forsake the mindset that said, “If only others would be there to help me.”  He had to forsake the mindset that the supply of God is limited and others seem to get it instead of me.”

Then he had to embrace that Jesus is the answer to his dilemma.  He had to embrace that Jesus wanted to heal him.  Then he had to embrace that Jesus could heal him.  Then, he then had to embrace the truth and make a decision to respond to it.

Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.”

Do not allow your situations in life to continue to cripple you.  Resist the blame shifting mindset that leaves you a victim.   Place your focus on Jesus and he will begin to speak into your life. Then make a decision to respond to the truth in the midst of your adversity, and watch what God will do when you believe and arise to do your part.

casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

2 Corinthians 10:5

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

Mark 9:23