Do You Want to Get Well?

"When Jesus saw him lying there and realized that he had spent a long time in this condition, He asked him, 'Do you want to get well?'"
~John 5:6

Life is full of patterns and cycles. The earth rotates and revolves around the sun, so time passes and seasons come and go. Clocks and calendars help to keep us on target. Along with this, our brains process information along the neural pathways that have been forged over time. But sometimes, it's time to change. Sometimes we owe it to ourselves to break particular patterns and cycles, especially when we begin to realize they are doing us more harm than good.

Albert Einstein is credited with stating, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results." When we desire change in our lives, but refuse to do anything to bring about said change, we're technically acting insane. There comes a time to not only acknowledge unhealthy patterns, but to actually do something about them. These patterns can involve habits ranging from our diet and exercise to our emotional and mental health. Once we acknowledge our disorder, we can begin to cultivate a contingency plan. But acknowledgment must come first.

Jesus had a way of getting right to the point with people. He knew that everyone is prone to making excuses and passing blame onto others. After assessing the situation the man by the pool was in, He cut right to the chase and asked, "Do you want to get well?" That's a question that we all must ask ourselves at some point. Do you want to get well? If the answer is no, then change is not on the horizon. Well worn patterns and pathways will continue to be travelled for the sake of their familiarity. But if the answer is yes, then the tide can shift and change can be ushered in.

This question is one that I asked myself recently. It came after a dinner discussion with a friend in which she helped me realize a few things about myself. I know that she was trying to help, but it was uncomfortable for me because, for one, I hate being the focal point of a conversation, and also, it made me acknowledge that asking for help is a weakness of mine. It amazed me that she could see right through me, but it was also refreshing despite my discomfort. What my friend didn't know was that I had already recognized some patterns within myself earlier in the week that need to be abolished and unlearned. It was as if our conversation was confirmation that I was onto something. 

After asking myself the ever important question that Jesus posed to the man by the pool, I determined that I do indeed want to get well. I also acknowledged that I am going to have to approach getting well in a new way because I need less insanity in my life, not more.