Jesus is willing and able to deliver us from every ailment that besets us and the question, "Do you want to be made well" (Jn 5:6) is a legitimate one.
The worst condition that holds us back from being healed is the "victim" mentality, that condition of the heart that derives its power from the "why me" questions. This mentality allows us to stay where we are, sucking up the empathy and sympathy from others. This mentality loves the self-prophesying mantra, "It always happens to me" and "Why expect the best only to be disappointed" syndrome.
It takes hard work to uncover the attitudes that have caused strongholds, stop the grumbling and complaining that keep us trapped to begin to call God's report over our lives. When everything within cries out in pain, it's hard to rise out of the depths of the "pity party" and declare God's promises with confidence and belief. But the bible teaches us " Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. (Pro 18:21) We get to CHOOSE!!!! We alone can watch out thoughts and words and we can chose the testimony of our word for either a good or bad result.
Sometimes fear can keep us trapped for a long-seated illness almost becomes like well-known lover to our soul. It is sometimes easier to accept the slavery of Egypt (better the devil you know then the one you don't) then walk into the liberty and freedom of the children of the King. We can lose a sense of "identity" if we give it up but God has declared, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." (1 Cor 2:9) God has a better way, a better life and His perfect love can cast out all fear, (1 Jn 4:18) because we trust Him to take us through the "valley of the shadow of death" (Ps 23:4) into the glorious "Son" on the mountain.
Jesus died for us to have an abundant life, not a depressed, down life. He calls us upward and outward, toward Him and toward others. Getting our minds off ourselves and onto others is a first step toward freedom from self and liberation into a life He wants for us. Remember, "Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him." (Jn 13:16) Jesus set us an example and if we walk in His steps we walk in the path of blessing.
The worst condition that holds us back from being healed is the "victim" mentality, that condition of the heart that derives its power from the "why me" questions. This mentality allows us to stay where we are, sucking up the empathy and sympathy from others. This mentality loves the self-prophesying mantra, "It always happens to me" and "Why expect the best only to be disappointed" syndrome.
It takes hard work to uncover the attitudes that have caused strongholds, stop the grumbling and complaining that keep us trapped to begin to call God's report over our lives. When everything within cries out in pain, it's hard to rise out of the depths of the "pity party" and declare God's promises with confidence and belief. But the bible teaches us " Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. (Pro 18:21) We get to CHOOSE!!!! We alone can watch out thoughts and words and we can chose the testimony of our word for either a good or bad result.
Sometimes fear can keep us trapped for a long-seated illness almost becomes like well-known lover to our soul. It is sometimes easier to accept the slavery of Egypt (better the devil you know then the one you don't) then walk into the liberty and freedom of the children of the King. We can lose a sense of "identity" if we give it up but God has declared, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." (1 Cor 2:9) God has a better way, a better life and His perfect love can cast out all fear, (1 Jn 4:18) because we trust Him to take us through the "valley of the shadow of death" (Ps 23:4) into the glorious "Son" on the mountain.
Jesus died for us to have an abundant life, not a depressed, down life. He calls us upward and outward, toward Him and toward others. Getting our minds off ourselves and onto others is a first step toward freedom from self and liberation into a life He wants for us. Remember, "Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him." (Jn 13:16) Jesus set us an example and if we walk in His steps we walk in the path of blessing.
