At Bethesda
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Spiritual wellness is a part of your wellbeing. Do you want to get well?” asked Jesus.
Jesus returning to Jerusalem from one of the celebrated Jewish holidays, stopped inside the city. When Jesus saw the paralyzed man at the pool, called Bethesda, Jesus challenged the man with this question, “Would you like to get well?” For some others it might have been a foolish question; Afterall, the crippled man was in need of healing. However, Jesus knew all about this man and what was about to conspire.
It was at the pool of Bethesda where physically challenged people would come waiting for the opportunity to be among the first to jump into the (stirring) water to receiving healing. He was among the blind, the physically disabled and paralyzed. For thirty-eight years, this sickly man had been in this condition (John 5:1-6 NIV), hoping that he could be among those who would be able to jump into the pool before the water stopped stirring. Can you imagine the disappointment that this sickly person felt over and over? Yet, each year he would return in hope that this time it will be me. Little did this man know that Jesus was about to stir up something for him, even if the water stopped stirring.
My Situation is This
First of all, the sickly man’s response expresses his situation and agony. “Sir, I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” We can imagine his desire to be the next in line for a blessing. Note these words: “Someone else gets ahead of me.” Let that sink in for a moment, “Someone else gets ahead of me.” This is my situation; I know the locale or where I need to be, but someone else gets ahead of me.
Munchausen Syndrome
Second, in this instance, the physical condition is not a result of the mind. However, there is a disorder of today, that is symptomatic of people who wish to be sick; it is a mind disorder. It is called Munchausen (Mun-chau-sen) Syndrome. Munchausen Syndrome (MS) is an attention-seeking personality disorder. Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSBP) is the desire of one to be the center of attention. People who exhibit this type of behavior, according to research, often have a feeling of persecution with cause. They feel they are the victim.
The feeling of victimization causes people of MSBP to stand at odds with others and proven facts. It causes them to look for excuses in others for their reasons of being in a paralyzed condition.
“I would have more if it wasn’t for … I could do more if it was not for…. I am being unjustly denied my right to due process because of …. I could do better if it was not for…”
People who suffer from this illness see life as always against them. Immediately, their imperfections are always due to someone or something else. The blame game is what they play. Although the situation and excuses change, the result of blaming of others does not change.
GET UP! PICK UP YOUR MAT AND WALK!
In verse 8 of this scripture, “Then Jesus said to the disabled man, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once, the man was cured. He picked up his mat and walked. What happened before “then” is not in this scripture. It is clear, however, that there was some type of occurrence that made the man believe that he could get up and walk. Nevertheless, it is the mindset of his faith in Jesus that caused him to submit to the commands in the healing process. Those who desire to be well, will engage in the process of healing for the best. It is to be well.
The Servant Who Wishes to Be Well
Jesus has told us that there will always be people who are poor (spiritually) among us. Why? Too much consumption of worldly things is their goal in life and standard of living. In the same way, a person who functions in spiritual accessions is not functional as God intended. They leave off God’s Will and functions only in their will. Their prayers become self-centered and entangled in darkness. They take on a form of righteousness.All of us need physical and emotional balance in our lives. God, as our healer, is the source and supplies resources. If the servant wishes to be well, He gives in the invitation to “Come.”
For more information about balance in spiritual and physical wellness, checkout Healing Hurts Wounds. While I maintain a disclaimer, in these cases, I have found valuable resources and there may be something that will interest you. For example,
Article: The Impact of Spirituality on Health: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304456467_The_Impact_of_Spirituality_on_Health
Our Blog posts for wellness that we also suggest include: A leader must revamp! https://bulluckg.com/a-leader-must-revamp/ and: