Let’s talk about a question that Jesus asked in John 5: “Do you want to get well?” On the surface, that seems like a pretty obvious question, right? Who wouldn’t want to get well? But if we pause and think about it, the answer might be more complicated. Sometimes we’re not sure what being “well” even looks like, or maybe we’ve been in a tough spot for so long that it feels like healing is out of reach. The truth is, we all have areas in our lives where we need healing, whether it’s physical, emotional, or even spiritual.

In John 5, Jesus encounters a man who had been unwell for 38 years. Jesus asks him, “Do you want to get well?” And the man doesn’t say “yes” right away. Instead, he starts explaining why he hasn’t been healed yet—there’s always someone else who gets ahead of him. Can you relate to that? We’ve all been there. It’s easy to feel stuck, like there’s always something or someone holding us back from getting where we want to be.

Sometimes, it’s not that we don’t want to be well, but we’ve grown so used to our pain or our struggles that they’ve become part of our identity. It’s not just about physical illness. Think about those emotional wounds, old grudges, or even negative patterns in our relationships. Maybe we’ve been carrying them for so long that the idea of letting them go feels impossible or even scary. What if healing changes us? What if we don’t know how to live without that pain?

It’s important to recognize that sometimes we hold on to things—whether it’s fear, excuses, or habits—because they’ve become comfortable. That’s not to say we enjoy being stuck, but there’s a certain security in the familiar, even if it’s painful. The man at the pool in John 5 had been waiting for years for someone to help him. His whole identity was wrapped up in being the guy who couldn’t get to the healing water in time. Jesus knew that, and instead of giving him sympathy, Jesus gave him a challenge: “Get up, pick up your mat, and walk.”

What’s your “mat”? What’s that thing you’ve been lying on, holding onto, or waiting for? Maybe it’s that thought of “I’ll get better when…,” or “Things will change when someone helps me out,” or “I’m just too broken to be healed.” The reality is, healing often begins when we take a step of faith, even if we’re not sure how it’s all going to work out. Jesus is still asking us today, “Do you want to get well?” And sometimes that question requires us to wrestle with what we’re willing to leave behind.

We sometimes believe the lie that healing isn’t for us. We might think that other people are worthy of healing, but we’re too far gone, or maybe we’ve tried to get better and it just hasn’t happened, so we’ve given up hope. But Jesus doesn’t put limits on His healing. He doesn’t ask us to be perfect before we come to Him. He just asks us to trust Him enough to take that step.

Another thing that holds us back from healing is the fear of what comes next. If we let go of our pain, what will fill that space? If we forgive that person who hurt us, what will we do with the bitterness that’s been occupying our hearts for so long? Sometimes, being unwell becomes a way to protect ourselves from the vulnerability that healing requires. But here’s the thing: Jesus doesn’t just offer healing; He offers wholeness. He offers a way of life that’s full, free, and deeply rooted in His love.

So, here’s the question: What’s stopping you from being well? Maybe it’s fear, maybe it’s doubt, or maybe it’s just that you’ve been waiting for someone else to help you get there. Whatever it is, Jesus is standing right there, asking, “Do you want to get well?” And He’s not just asking you to answer with words—He’s inviting you to take a step, to trust that He can heal, and to believe that you’re worthy of that healing.

What would it look like to start moving toward healing today? Maybe it’s letting go of an old hurt, opening up to someone you trust, or simply praying, “Jesus, I want to get well, but I’m not sure how. Help me take that first step.” Healing isn’t always instant, and it doesn’t always come the way we expect, but it starts with that first act of faith.

Jesus never asked for us to have it all figured out before we come to Him. He just asks that we come. Are you ready to take that step?