Christian Track: Step 10 – I am Responsible for My Reactions

guy walking down hall with duffle bag

Contributor: Ryan Moffat, BS in Bible and Theology from Multnomah University. Pastor of Vast Church.

“Do you want to be healed?”

-Jesus. John 5:6

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”

-Jesus. Matthew 23

repair-the-damage-of-the-pastJesus is pretty shocking, controversial and troubling individual. He loved “unlovables”, touched the “unclean”, blessed the “unblessable”, and gave his life for people who hated him.

I think at times the caricature we make of Jesus turns him into some sort of crazy revolutionary who did all these miracles and taught all kinds of truth about God against peoples will.

The gospel stories describe a very different narrative working its way out through the stories of Jesus as told by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Responsible for Your Future

We see Jesus interacting with a paralyzed guy in the book of John and he does something radically wild. Rather than force the man to be healed (which he rightfully could have done) he interacts with the man and asks him a question; “Do you want to be healed?”

What Jesus does in that moment is radical and incredibly empowering to the paralyzed man. With Jesus asking he empowers the man and allows him (in some sense) to help take ownership of his own future.

I think the man could’ve said, “no, I’m good here laying on the mat and begging for my food and water. Thank you though sir, have a good day!” Instead he responds with faith (in Jesus) and hope (for a better future). “Yes sir, I want to be healed.”

It seems to me that Jesus humanizes this socially and physically invalid man. Jesus approaches him and gives him a choice.

I wonder how often Jesus says to us in our brokenness, addiction and self-destructive behavior, “Do you want to be healed?”

A Future Denied

Cross on a hill in the fogThe other side is that we also have the freedom and responsibility to deny Jesus’ invitation to wholeness and redemption. At the end of his life Jesus says to the nation of Israel:

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”

Do you want to be in the group of the unwilling or do you want to respond with faith and hope and power to believe that the future can be better?

It starts when we start connecting our responsibility (of our choices and our response to Jesus) with our current circumstances. The path to healing is paradoxically wrapped in how we respond to a Jewish rabbi named Jesus.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

What was the turning point in your life that changed your focus from addiction to healing?


Ryan Moffat FamilyAbout the Author: Ryan received his BS in Bible and Theology and a minor in counseling from Multnomah University. He has pastored students, families and is passionate about Christ-centered recovery and healing.

He’s been married to his beautiful wife Michelle for 13 years and they enjoy raising four crazy, unique and special kids together. Ryan is the teaching pastor at Vast Church in Sisters, OR and is currently working on his Masters in Theology at Western Seminary in Portland, OR


Addiction Hope is proud to announce the initiation of a special Christian Track of blogs and articles to commemorate the blessing of our sister site, Eating Disorder Hope’s 10th year anniversary. Watch for further content noted as “Christian Track”.


The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of addictions. These are not necessarily the views of Addiction Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

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