Jesus encountered a man who had been sick a long time. This man had many thoughts and responses similar to those a person with a victim mentality has.
Jesus was back in Jerusalem. Near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there was a pool …. Hundreds of sick people—blind, crippled, paralyzed—were in these alcoves. One man had been an invalid there for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him stretched out by the pool and knew how long he had been there, he said, “Do you want to get well?” The sick man said, “Sir, when the water is stirred, I don’t have anybody to put me in the pool. By the time I get there, somebody else is already in.” Jesus said, “Get up, take your bedroll, start walking.” The man was healed on the spot. He picked up his bedroll and walked off. (John 5:1-9 MSG)
This man is like so many of us who live with a victim mentality. His whole perspective is centered on his great need. He feels hopeless. If circumstances had not changed for 38 years, he believes they never will. A person with a victim mentality holds similar beliefs and so they simply stay in the same position and hope that someone else will help get them to where they want to be.
Unfortunately, the same problems keep recurring and the attitude hardens in the person with the victim mentality that there is nothing they can do about their situation. They choose an existence of hopelessness and despair.
Unfortunately, the same problems keep recurring and the attitude hardens in the person with the victim mentality that there is nothing they can do about their situation. They choose an existence of hopelessness and despair.
Jesus knows that what we think is often more important to our well-being than what we see or experience around us. Jesus knew he could heal the sick man. He also knew if the man was going to live a productive life he’d have to give up his lifestyle of self-pity, complaining, and lack of hope. So, Jesus challenged the man, and He challenges us today by asking, “Do you want to get well?”
Jesus is able and willing to heal us and give us new life today. Are we willing to receive it? Do we want to get well? It’s time to make the effort to pick up our bed and walk.
PRAYER; Dear Jesus, Please help us to face whatever issues keep us from the life You are offering us. Give us a true desire to get well, get up, and start walking this path of recovery with You. AMEN
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