Do You Want to Be Well?
Please allow me to introduce myself.
I am James Francis Jr. I was born and raised in Miami, Fl.
I spent most of my life in the church and experienced triumph and devastating heartache.
Those experiences inspired me to help people overcome emotional pain and distress.
Scripture has set me on the ultimate path toward healing for my brokenness.
I will unpack my story over time. Today you will find insights to help you on your journey.
But first, let me ask,
How long have you felt hopeless, alone, depressed, anxious, lost, or confused?
The road to healing can begin with a few short steps.
Define the problem
How did you get here? What are you experiencing?
John Dewey, a philosopher, and educational reformer stated, “A problem well put is half solved.” Many of my clients want to immediately jump into resolving an issue without a complete understanding of how the problem originated.
Have you evaluated the full emotional impact of the issue and how your negative reactions potentially sabotage your desires?
Clearly defining and acknowledging all the factors that contribute to the problem is an investment equally as vital as solving the problem.
Demonstrate awareness
After defining the problem, acknowledge the resources you have and discover needed resources of people, places, relationships, or any service that aids in your relief.
There is a scene in the Bible in John 5: 1-16 where Jesus displays his ability to heal.
This story takes place within a colony of disabled individuals. Jesus asked a disabled man (I will name Fred) who had been there for 38 years a surprising question (v. 6), “Do you want to get well?”
Why would He ask such an obvious question to someone who had been in this unique position for so long?
In verse 7, Fred reveals that he did desire to be well. He even knew where to go, but Fred still needed an advocate for his wholeness to be realized. I define wellness as a connection between mind, heart, body, and spirit. [1]
“A seasoned therapist will ask provacative questions that can aid you in reframing the lens through which you see the difficulty of a situation and begin moving toward healing.”
What resources are available to you?
Have you defined the problem?
Have you positioned yourself to get the help that you need?
Some versions do not include verse 4, where an angel periodically activated the water, and the first person who stepped in experienced healing. This context is crucial. It speaks to the hopelessness that Fred likely experienced.
I imagine he might have known of others who even lived nearby who got healed, but it seemed like it would never be his turn.
Jesus told him to get up and walk (v. 8). Instantly, Fred got up and started to walk.
The point of this story is that Jesus has power over any situation. Another essential point is that trusting in what God instructs us to do is key to being well mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.
Overcome Discouragement
Fred could have been so focused on his pain and 38 years of missed opportunities. Instead, he chose to focus on the instruction that made him well.
He dared to hope though the odds were stacked against him.
If you have struggled in an area of your life for several years, let me encourage you that today could be day one for you. Will today be the start of something transformational?
“Wellness is a connection between mind, heart, body, and spirit.”
If you have some unwanted behavior, maybe you started but have not finished, if you keep falling back into the same old patterns, or feel like your relationship is over, remind yourself that today is day one. Despite poor decisions, denials, distractions, or disappointments, today is day one.
Decide to get help
You are not powerless.
Regardless if you were placed in a situation beyond your control or perhaps made poor choices, hope is not out of reach.
A seasoned therapist will ask provacative questions that can aid you in reframing the lens through which you see the difficulty of a situation and begin moving toward healing.
Day one is an invitation to focus on what you can control in your life. It is an opportunity to begin counting the cost of what is required for change to take place.
Pause and recognize that you always have a choice. You do not have to figure it all out today or this weekend. Just decide that you want to be well. Let me help guide you. Sign up for a free consultation, or if you are ready click here.
[1] Having a disability or other ability does not presume that someone is unwell, just as someone who is able cannot be assumed to be well. Those who were born or have become disabled are created with dignity and in the image of God. The selection of this biblical case study was to illustrate that Jesus will meet us where we are and demonstrate compassion toward us.
Written by Dr. James E. Francis Jr.
11.12.22
Day one is an invitation to focus on what you can control in your life. It is an opportunity to begin counting the cost of what is required for change to take place.
