CLEVELAND, Ohio Over the years, people have talked to me about their drinking and/or drug problems.
I begin telling them about Alcoholics Anonymous, Celebrate Recovery and some other programs that are available for free.
I know that, they often say.
Then comes the discussion of how they tried it. I was in the room with a bunch of drunks and drug addicts."
OK.
Or they didnt like the person running the session. Or the meetings were too far away...
Or too long...
Or too something...
THE BIG QUESTION
Do you want to get well? I sometimes ask them.
They stare at me as if I didnt hear a word theyd said.
But its an important question. Its exactly what Jesus asked a man who couldnt walk and had been an invalid for 38 years. The story is in John, Chapter 5.
Its something a friend asked me about 25 years ago. It was when I weighed about 20 more pounds than I do now.
I was drinking gallons of regular Pepsi, eating lots of fried food...
And feeling like a slug.
Do you want to feel better?" he asked me.
That led to a discussion of my diet, of cutting the Pepsi, most of the sugar and fried food.
Lean protein, fish and side dishes that werent french fries was a good place to start.
THE EVIL INNER VOICE
I had to ask myself: Do I want to get well?
Immediately, a voice whispered, Thats too hard. Besides, you dont smoke or drink, you deserve your Pepsi and french fries.
Thats how it works...we find lame justifications for not making the changes to get well.
Jesus asked the man that question...and the man had an excuse about people not helping him.
Then Jesus said: Get up! Pick up your mat and walk!
My version of getting up and walking was talking to my wife Roberta about a new diet. It was reading about what to eat...then actually eating it, at least most of the time.
And it was about changing workouts...and doing it the new (and a more painful) way. That was especially true after I had some back problems.
I HATE STRETCHING!
But I hate back problems even more, and stretching worked for me.
WHAT DO WE WANT?
In 20 years of weekly jail ministry, Ive heard many addiction stories.
We have places for guys to go when they get out. Soon come the excuses for why those suggestions wont work.
If you looked as hard for a good meeting or church as you did for drugs and that woman, youd get there," I often say.
Most of the time, silence was the answer.
I read a blog from Dr. Michelle Bengston, who is a neuropsychologist treating anxiety, depression and many other mental health issues.
She wrote how early in her career, she wondered why Jesus asked the man, Do you want to get well?
But over the years, I realize...some people are more comfortable in their known discomfort than they are willing to risk the discomfort of the unknown.
ABOUT THE FROGS
When I have talked to people about attending meetings or even changing their diet, they tend to say something like Maybe later.
Many years ago, I heard about a sermon called Another night with the frogs. You can Google the phrase and find lots of material with that title.
It comes from Exodus Chapter 8, the plagues of Egypt. Its where Moses confronts the Pharaoh about letting my people go."
Lots of stuff happens, but Egypt is over-run by frogs. Pharaoh asks Moses to pray to get rid of the nasty critters.
I leave to you the honor of setting the time for me to pray for you, Moses said.
Tomorrow," said Pharaoh.
Think about it. Tomorrow? Why tomorrow?
Most of us would say, Get rid of those bad boys RIGHT NOW!
But its so easy to say, Ill start being more patient with people...tomorrow.
Or Ill call or text that person who needs to hear from me...tomorrow.
Ill go to the doctor...go to the gym...make that change...
Tomorrow.
Pharaoh should have demanded Moses pray right now for the power to deal with problem. Its the same thing we should do with our own frogs, assuming we really do want to get well.
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