Has God ever asked you a question so clearly that you squirmed with the discomfort of it, that it caused a perspective shift in your heart and soul?
A number of years back, I was sitting in church. That morning my rejection issues rose up and called me condemned.
People’s words and compliments filtered through that rejection lens and came through as warped and untrue. I doubted any good thing said, and pain burrowed into my heart.
All of a sudden, this question shouted in my mind:
“Do you want to be made well?”
Of course, I wanted to be made well. To not struggle with the thoughts and the emotions that flooded me at random times. Sometimes before we can be healed, we need a perspective shift.
When we don’t answer the question
Jesus asked this question of the man lying near the Pool of Bethesda. He’d been sick for thirty-eight years (See John 5).
Did Jesus even have to ask if he wanted to be made well? Of course, the man did!
Didn’t he?
Maybe the man justified his situation because he wanted Jesus to understand, to agree to sit with him and help him to the pool when the angel stirred the waters.
Maybe he didn’t know who Jesus was.
It could be that discouragement had sapped his hope of being healed. But a part of him still yearned to walk.
Doesn’t God still do this sometimes? He asks a question that should have an obvious answer. To answer honestly and walk in that answer will require a perspective shift.
But, maybe we’ve been living with the condition for a long time.
Maybe the scars of abuse have impacted us our entire lives. Maybe we’ve dealt with an illness for years. Maybe we’ve been out of a job for months.
And He asks the question, “Do you want____?”
This question? It’s an invitation to a perspective shift from what we think we know to what could be.
Perspective Shift: When God Asks Challenging Questions‚—This question is an invitation to a perspective shift from what we think we know to what could be. #tellhisstory #perspective #trustgod Click To TweetGod invites us into a perspective shift
The man’s answer fascinates me. He may have had only a smidgen of hope left. He was lying by the healing pool, after all. But he didn’t dare hope he could actually be the one to be healed.
He was stuck in the mindset he knew.
Sometimes, for our prayers to be fully answered, God must shift our perspective from what seems to be to what could be.
At times, He must shake us out of our “this-is-the-way-it-will-always-be” mindset before we can envision the changes He could make . . . if we choose to put our faith in Him.
We attempt to control our circumstances by not earnestly hoping—not fervently trusting—that God can do what our heart secretly longs for.
When God asks the question
When God asks that question, “Do you want______?” He’s inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him.
It’s an invitation to trust the Creator of all things with the hurts in our hearts,
. . . the desires we’ve held close,
. . . the needs we’ve struggled with.
Are we willing to say, “Yes, I want to be healed? I want to be cared for? I want to be free?”
Unless our answer is yes, we can never know the miracles God may do in our lives.
Jesus saw the heart
Jesus must have seen the man’s heart. Maybe His words were a test. He told the man, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.”
The man had a choice . . . He could continue to lie there because, of course, he couldn’t walk.
Or, he could act on Jesus’ words.
Perhaps this man saw something in Jesus that gave him the confidence to trust God. Maybe the tone of Jesus’ voice or the warmth in His eyes caused the man to have a perspective shift.
God is more than able to—without a word—touch that wounded place in our lives and call it healed.
Perspective Shift: When God Asks Challenging Questions—God is more than able to—without a word—touch that wounded place in our lives and call it healed. #tellhisstory #perspective #faith Click To TweetWhat Jesus wants
But, He desires relationship. Sometimes, God tests us, not immediately giving us what He knows we want. He invites us to take a step into the unknown and trust that He’ll be there to meet us, to walk with us, to help us.
Here’s what it comes down to . . . how will we answer His question: “Do you want___?”
Conclusion
I grappled with this question the morning God asked. I yearned to be made well. But that meant I would have to trust God to renew my mind, to help me see interactions through His eyes rather than through my distorted filter. I needed a perspective shift.
Saying yes, in my case, has led me on a step-by-step path toward healing in my heart and thoughts.
When we seek a relationship with Jesus . . .
When we believe and act on His word . . .
He meets us in our uncertainty—in our need—and brings healing and restoration to the broken places in our lives.
What about you? When has God challenged you with a question? What helps you to be open to a perspective shift when you need one?
***FINAL NOTES:
I created a Scriptures printable for you to think on relating to this blog post. I hope you enjoy!
We’ll meet back here next week for the Tell His Story link-up
This blog, in a slightly different format was first shared on my former blog site a few years ago.
Perspective Shift: When God Asks Challenging Questions—Come share your story at the Tell His Story linkup. Connect and be encouraged by like-minded friends! #tellhisstory #linkup Click To TweetMost weeks, I link up with Grace and Truth, Anita Ojeda, Instaencouragements, and sometimes Let’s Have Coffee. Come join and read more encouraging posts!
Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters. I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leaving your own encouragement. Click here to read more about the #TellHisStory community and find a button to add to your site.
Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters. I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leaving your own encouragement. Click here to read more about the #TellHisStory community and find a button to add to your site.
Trusting Jesus results from a perspective shift! We need to decide that we want the help He offers us. Several years back I wrote a post about needing the “Courage to Heal”… it is a courage that only God can give us, but we need to choose to shift our perspective. Thanks for the encouraging post!
Jo, please forgive the delayed response. Trusting Jesus does result from a perspective shift. 🙂 I love the truth you share here. That even good things like healing can require courage and a complete trust in Him. Love this!
I squirmed in my chair as I read your post, Jeanne! Fully letting go and trusting His agenda with what I think I want isn’t easy. And what if He does give me what I want? Can I handle it? But God knows, and full surrender and trust is required to jump into the pool, so to speak. Loved your post today.
Yes, Lynn. Fully letting go and trusting God’s agenda can feel downright scary sometimes. I’m so thankful that God never gives us more (good or hard) than we can handle with Him. Yes, full surrender and trust is required to go deeper with Him. Thank you so much for sharing your insights, friend!
Thank you for your insights on trusting God to heal us, Jeanne.
And thank you for so steadily showing up here, my friend!
Such a valuable question: “Here’s what it comes down to . . . how will we answer His question: “Do you want___?”” I need to sit and ponder with this. There are several situations in my life I’d like changed, beginning with my own attitude. So, do I really want___? Thanks, Jeanne.
Lisa, I so appreciate your transparency here. We do sometimes have to deeply evaluate our answer to that question. God has been known to reveal my true thoughts when He asks questions. Sometimes, there’s a disparity between what I know my answer should be and what it currently is. I’m saying a prayer for you today.
Oh Jeanne, I have been thinking about this a lot lately. That perspective change is so needed. I so identify with that creeping in of rejection thoughts and of condemning myself. I have to keep reminding myself to look at myself and others through His eyes, not my distorted perspective. Love this – “But that meant I would have to trust God to renew my mind, to help me see interactions through His eyes rather than through my distorted filter. I needed a perspective shift.” Amen! Thank you for making me feel less alone in that struggle. Love, hugs, and blessings to you, my friend!
Trudy, I still need perspective shifts. It seems like each trial I walk through points me yet again to the truths I sometimes forget in the calmer times of life. And yes, those thoughts/lies that God is continually working healing into strike us at the craziest times, don’t they? Thank you for your encouragement, sweet friend! Love, hugs, and blessings to you too!
Jeanne, these beautiful words were meant for me today–“God is more than able to—without a word—touch that wounded place in our lives and call it healed.” Thank you, friend.
Tammy, thank you for your encouragement. Like you, I’m so thankful God heals our every wound in His perfect way.
I confess I need shaken out of my views more often than not. Especially in the negative talk (about others) I allow to play out in my head. God wants me to see people from HIS perspective. Not mine. Mine isn’t very nice.
Anita, me too. I get stuck in my views, and at times, in a negative mindset. May we both be diligent in choosing to see people from God’s perspective rather than our own. Thanks for your transparency, my friend.
Jeanne, I love Jesus’s question and how you teased it out. It makes me consider the areas in my life that don’t seem to be moving. Do I really want change or do I just want to complain?
Debbie, thanks for your kind words. Jesus’ question is a poignant one, isn’t it? I love the questions you asked. They are worth getting real with Jesus about. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Jeanne, this is such a powerful message! I love how you said, “Sometimes, for our prayers to be fully answered, God must shift our perspective from what seems to be to what could be.” Wow! I remember once when my husband preached on this passage and story in the Bible. How sad that the man had been at the pool for so many times and was stuck in a hopeless mindset. It made me reflect on what situation I need to act on Jesus’ words. Because sometimes we get comfortable in what we know even if things could be better for us.
Karen, I love your insights here. Yes, when we are stuck beside the healing pool, we can become hopeless. But that hopeless—known—frame of mind still feels easier than trying on hope and being disappointed. I appreciate the question you ask yourself: What situation might I need to act on based on Jesus’ words? thanks for sharing this insight!
Great post Jeanne!
I remember the Holy Spirit asking me if I was comfortable ‘being’…with Him, before chronic health conditions hit. And I thought…of course Lord!
Until these conditions hit & hit hard, it’s been a journey of discovery that I actually wasn’t comfortable ‘being’ at all!
My comfort zone had been in ‘doing’ for Him rather then ‘being’ with Him! A Martha instead of a Mary.
It has been an eye & heart opener, a most blessed journey indeed.
Blessings, Jennifer
Jennifer, I’m well familiar with the “doing” comfort zone. It’s more challenging to just “be.” Especially when we’re dealing with chronic pain or illness. That journey to “being” can be slow and arduous, but as we grow more comfortable with being, God blesses us in special ways, doesn’t He? I so appreciate your perspective in this regard, friend.
I love this post, Jeanne! It is so interesting to consider this incident. The answer to Jesus’ question seems so obvious but it does take courage to dare to hope for something different from what we know, and the man had been sick for 38 years. It must have been so hard to believe it could ever be different.
It was a display of questions Jesus asked, including this one, that finally got me to the point of speaking out about the abuse I’d experienced for the first time and I’m so grateful for those questions that prompted me to take that risk.
Lesley, the answer to Jesus’ question does seem so obvious! But, sometimes for our hearts to truly align with the answer takes some deep searching, doesn’t it? God does have ways of using our pain both in our healing and in being a comfort and encouragement to others. I’m so thankful you are speaking and giving hope to others too, my friend!
This is so good, Jeanne. I am especially glad that you included this detail: “Saying yes, in my case, has led me on a step-by-step path toward healing in my heart and thoughts.” Sometimes God chooses to heal all at once, but other times–as you point out–it’s a gradual process. I find it comforting to remember that whichever way He chooses, we can be sure He has our best interests at heart.
Lois, you’re so right. Sometimes God heals all at once. Sometimes, He heals gradually. I love your truth: whichever way God decides to heal, it’s always with our best interest at heart. Good words!
Such a powerful testimony, Jeanne!
Awww, thanks for reading, Lisa!
So good, Jeanne. I think Jesus often asks us questions so we can see where we are stuck in the wrong place, or looking to the wrong things/person for Hope and help. I often remind myself to put on the correct perspective glasses!
Donna, I love your thoughts. Yes. Jesus does challenge us with questions that challenge us to see ourselves through His eyes, and see when we’re stuck in the wrong place. I love your reminder! Such a great visual to pray for. 🙂
Sometimes that perspective shift also includes willing for God to heal us in His way – not our preconceived ways of healing and restoration. The man at the pool only thought the pool could heal Him – you are so right! He needed to change his perspective! So many times, I do, too! Good word, my friend!
Maryleigh, YES. When God plans to heal some aspect of who we are, He will do it in His way. His ways are always higher than ours. I love your thoughts here. Thank you so much for sharing your insights, my friend!
I don’t know if I considered before why Jesus asked that question of the lame man. But I love how Jesus asks just the right questions to cause us to examine our hopes and expectations and shift our perspective.
Agreed, Barbara! God does know the perfect questions to ask each of us to cause us to examine our hopes, expectations and perspectives. 🙂
This is such a beautiful and thought provoking post. God has asked me a question in a similar way to how he asked you. The answer was obvious but the choice still fell to me. It is easy to choose the way I already know and am comfortable with but much harder to say “yes” to God and follow His lead. Thank you for giving me this chance to reflect and think about how God challenges me in my own life.
Mary, God does have a way of challenging our beliefs, doesn’t He? When He asks those questions that seem to have one obvious answer, we often must examine ourselves before we can live into that answer. Thank you so much for sharing a bit of your heart here! It’s nice to see you!
Such a beautiful post. I always thought that question Jesus asked the lame man was so interesting. People can get used to their life being a certain way, they adapt to it, and can’t even imagine being freed. Thank you so much for the printable. I can use it in my Bible Journaling.
Amy, yes, people can get used to living their lives in a certain way, accepting certain “truths” that end up limiting them (us?). Freedom can, at first, seem scary in its uncertainty. But, God . . . when He is the author of that freedom, it will be wonderful. I’m so glad you found the printable helpful. 🙂
Jeanne, our problems, failures and hurts can become our identity, can’t they? May we learn to find our identity in Him!
Yes, Donna, they sure can! You’re so right. Often, when we try to find our identity in lesser things, we end up in need of a perspective shift. We must find our identity in Him. Thank you for sharing your insight!
Oh Jeanne–thank you for this! I needed the reminder–and the encouragement to keep trusting. ❤
Awww, Shannon. I’m so glad you found encouragement in these words! Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you, Jeanne! As I read your post, I think about surrender, about faith-fueled action, about believing God is who He says He is and can do more than we even imagine. Too often I think I know the path to my own healing, but God calls me to surrender to His way and will; it’s a life long process of changing my perspective.
Carlie, a perspective shift often does require surrender, doesn’t it? And yes, we need to act on what God shows us. I so resonate with your thoughts here. I’ve been in the place where I thought I knew what my healing path would be. But God . . . His ways are higher and better than mine in any second of any day. 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!
It was not that long ago
that I yearned for healing,
but as down this fell road I go,
it’s not quite as appealing,
for I have left the world of men
behind, and stand ‘cross an abyss
that neither voice nor touch nor pen
can reach me to dismiss
the change that was by cancer wrought
upon my heart and soul;
the place of mortals is forgot,
and I have been made whole
in flames of the refiner’s fire
that burns away worldly desire.
Andrew, your poem speaks so much about your own perspective shift. God does have a way of using painful things of this world to shift our perspective into a greater understanding of Him and life on earth and immortality. You’ve given me much to ponder, my friend. I continue to pray for you and Barb.
Jeanne,
Oh those lies that are buried deep in our souls. The only way we can shift perspective is to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. The only way to accomplish that is to go before the Lord and say, “Here I am, change me.” Like you mentioned it’s often a slow gradual process in which we vascilate between trust and doubt. Thank you for your call to encouragment that nothing is impossible for God.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Bev, yes lies are buried deep in our souls. It takes intentional digging to uproot them, doesn’t it? You’re right that renewing our minds is the only way to be transformed. I so appreciate your insights here, my friend.
Jeanne – I love that I linked up next to you at Anita’s. My question of the week refers to perspective! I’m thinking too about how perspective shift is good for our hearts, specifically a biblical shift in perspective. May God illuminate our hearts with truth to shift our perspective so we might grow in our trust in Him!
How fun that we are neighbors at Anita’s! 🙂 I look forward to reading your post. You’re right. A perspective shift IS good for our hearts, especially when that shift aligns us with bibical truths. I love the prayer you end with!