Let’s take a look at how we can choose to prioritize the promise of healing over the familiarity of pain and step into a new journey of transformation. In this passage we see how the paralyzed man and his response to Jesus was one of excuses. “I can’t get to the pool. Someone always gets there first.”

It’s too hard.

It won’t work. 

I can’t do it.

It’s easy to judge these excuses, but if we’re honest today, we have our own set of excuses, too. “It’s too hard to forgive. I’ve prayed for breakthrough before, and it didn’t work. I’m burned out. I can’t do it.”

It can be easier to focus on the problem than the promise. That’s why Jesus asks the question, “Would you like to get well?” Put another way: “You want the problem or the promise?”

I don’t know about you, but I want the promise.

Jesus persisted with the paralyzed man, and eventually he did pick up his mat and walk right into true healing. We can experience the same. While we all desire healing, there’s often a deeper work required to achieve it. The familiar pain we carry can become a part of our identity, and breaking free from it can be challenging. 

Have you ever resisted healing because it meant changing habits or routines?