Seeking True Healing in a World of Temporary Fixes

Today, while reading the story of the paralyzed man by the pool in Bethzatha (John 5:5-8), I felt a wave of realization wash over me and I felt a strong tug at my heart, as if Jesus was telling me that someone needs to hear this. In so many ways, that man represents so many of us today—myself included. We search endlessly for healing in all the wrong places, thinking that the things of this world can somehow fix what’s broken inside of us.

The man at the pool had been sick for 38 years. He sat there day after day, waiting for the waters to move, believing that healing was just a moment away if he could get into that pool first. But then Jesus stepped in and asked him a simple question, “Do you want to get well?” And just like that, in a few words and one command, Jesus told him, “Get up, pick up your mat, and walk.” The healing he had been waiting for wasn’t in the pool; it was in Jesus.

How many times have I, too, looked for healing or peace in things other than Christ? Maybe you can relate. We live in a world that’s constantly telling us to chase success, relationships, or even self-care routines like meditation, therapy or yoga, as if these things can heal the deep wounds in our hearts. Now, don’t get me wrong—some of these things are good! I go to therapy, and it has been a helpful tool for me to cope with the challenges I face. But for me, therapy is like a bandaid. It helps me manage, but it doesn’t heal the root of my pain. My true healing comes from Jesus.

So many of us turn to our friends and family, hoping they’ll be the ones to take away the hurt. Some turn to substances like drugs or alcohol to numb the pain, even if only for a little while. But those are temporary solutions, fleeting moments of comfort that don’t touch the deeper wounds we carry. 

Jesus, on the other hand, is the Healer. He isn’t a quick fix or a temporary escape. He doesn’t just soothe our pain; He transforms us from the inside out. He asks us, just like He asked the man by the pool, “Do you want to get well?” And if we are willing to trust Him, He can heal the deepest hurts that no worldly solution can touch. 

The challenge is that trusting Jesus with our pain requires surrender. It means letting go of the things we think we can control and allowing Him to do the healing work. It’s so easy to rely on what we can see or what’s familiar, but the truth is that only Jesus can bring the kind of peace and healing that truly lasts.

I’ve learned that even though therapy and talking with friends are great resources, they are not my ultimate source of healing. And maybe you’ve found yourself in the same situation, seeking comfort in success, busyness, or the people around you, but feeling like something is still missing. 

Today, I encourage you, as I remind myself, to turn to Jesus with the things that hurt. Let Him be the one to heal the parts of you that feel broken. He is the One who has the power to heal our hearts, no matter how long we’ve been hurting. 

Heavenly Father, we come before You today, knowing that true healing comes from You alone. Lord, forgive us when we try to find comfort and healing in the things of this world. Help us to recognize that You are the source of our peace and restoration. We surrender our pain, our worries, and our struggles into Your hands, trusting that You are the ultimate Healer. Thank You for Your love that never fails and for always being there to lift us up when we feel weak.

 In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.