Do You Want to Get Well?

Instead of seeking help for depression after my cancer treatments, I used alcohol to self-medicate. I mourned my old life before cancer and battled the fear of recurrence and dying from it. One or two glasses of wine at night gradually led to a whole bottle. Even though I prayed to God for help to stop drinking, I felt powerless.

The Bible tells a story about a lame man who also felt powerless. He laid by the Pool of Bethesda for thirty-eight years. People believed the first person into the pool after angels stirred the waters received healing. The Bible says, “When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?’” (John 5:6 NIV).

The Greek word hygiēs translated “well” also means healthy, sound, pure, and whole. So put differently, “do you want to get healthy?”

Why did Jesus ask this? Didn’t He already know? Instead of answering yes, the man complained no one helped him get into the pool first. Why didn’t he say yes, I want to get well?

Do you battle addiction or unhealthy habits? Or perhaps you struggle to stick to a healthy lifestyle. How do we accomplish our goals to get healthy and well?

Overcome pride

The first step in any twelve-step recovery program such as Celebrate Recovery or Alcoholics Anonymous states we must admit we are powerless over our addictions and our lives are unmanageable. Pride and self-reliance keep us from admitting we have a problem. We cannot solve our problems with our own willpower. 

I tried to solve my problems on my own. My pride prevented me from realizing I needed help. I isolated myself and hid my problems from everyone.

Perhaps the lame man was self-obsessed and wallowed in self-pity. Because of his pride, he didn’t ask for help to get into the pool.

Conquer fear

Only a higher power, God, can heal us as expressed in Steps 2 and 3 of twelve-step programs. This is when we realize only a power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity. We decide to take action and turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.

I was afraid of so many things—cancer, death, the future, being alone, and dying alone. I had to trust God to accept His healing and begin a new life of recovery.

Maybe the lame man feared a new life was impossible. For 38 years, he sat by this pool as his hope of healing dwindled.

Be ready to change

Step six of twelve-step recovery programs state we must be entirely ready for God’s work in our lives.

I found comfort in a bottle of wine and isolation. I could not imagine my life without alcohol. When I walked into the rooms of AA for the first time and admitted I was an alcoholic, it signified I was ready to change.

Did the lame man wonder, how can I change? What else would I do? He was used to being sick. It was all he knew.

Conclusion

Thank God I finally sought help for my addiction in the support and recovery group at church and Alcoholics Anonymous. When I said, “Yes, I want to get healthy and well,” I got sober with the power of God and AA.

What happened to the lame man? “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get up! Pick up your mat and walk’” (John 5:8 NIV). And he did!

If you struggle with addiction or unhealthy habits, say yes to Jesus. Be ready for change. Allow God to help you get healthy and well by overcoming pride, conquering fear, and experiencing a new life in Him.

If you are ready, find an AA group here. Find a Christ-centered recovery group, Celebrate Recovery, here.

Read the 12 steps of Celebrate Recovery.