I don’t know about you, but sometimes I like the perks that come with being sick.
When you’re sick, you usually …
- Don’t have to do your daily responsibilities.
- Have someone to take care of your many needs.
- Are given more understanding and concern from those who are healthy.
- Can nestle down into some comfy covers and sleep all day—and no one will think you’re a slob.
These are just a few of the advantages of being sick. And if you’ve been sick for a long time—let’s say in a messy marriage kind of way—then it can be just plain scary to step out of that familiar cocoon of unhealthiness and spread your wings by taking responsibility for your life and marriage.
Not too long ago, I came across the passage in John 5 where Jesus heals the invalid by the pool of Bethesda. And Jesus’ words (verse 6) to the paralyzed man struck me …
“Do you want to get well?”
I was convicted because I had been (and, truthfully, still am) hurting in several areas of my life. Now, these areas are not directly related to the health of my marriage, but I’ve come to realize that any pain I experience in life directly affects not just my attitude but all of my relationships, including and especially my marriage.
With this realization, Christ seemed to be whispering to me …
“Do you want to get well, Beth?”
Unfortunately, sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I want to throw up (not literally) the white flag and give up on the whole “getting well” thing.
I don’t like the pain that healing often requires.
Sometimes I just want to be and stay the victim. That’s when I hear a voice in the back of my head yelling …
Excuse me?! A little sympathy here would be nice!
Okay, okay, I must admit … I’ve taken enough time to nurse my wounded heart. I’ve prayed. I’ve cried. I’ve read the Word and how it applies to my situation. I’ve sought comfort from loved ones. I’ve taken all the necessary steps to “get well.” So now it’s up to me to “Get up! Pick up my mat and walk” (v. 8a) …
To surrender my heart to the One who is the Great Healer.
Are you like me? Do you fear what it might mean to “get well” in your marriage and life? Do you want to stay cocooned in your pain so that you won’t have to face the pain of recovery? If so, just don’t gloss over the fact that you’re choosing to stay sick when Christ can help you “get well.” “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)
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