It’s easier for me to relate to some people in Mark 1 than others. The fishermen? Yeah, I love fishing! Simon’s mother-in-law being sick and then healed? Yep, I can relate. But the leper? The paralyzed man in Mark 2? Those two are harder to connect with.
I haven’t faced major illness or long-term physical struggle. I’ve been really blessed, and I’m grateful. But even in that, there’s always something—big or small—I want God to step into and change. And depending on the season, I approach him differently.
Sometimes I hesitate when I feel in control. Other times, I’m spiraling—and he’s the only one I can turn to. Either way, I come to God with something I want fixed. And honestly, I want it ASAIP—as soon as I pray.
Picture this scene in Mark 2:1-12 …
A man’s friends carry him into town, through the crowd, and when they can’t get in the door, they go through the roof to get him in front of the Messiah. They don’t make excuses with the crowd, the door being crowded, Jesus’ busy schedule—they make a way to Jesus because they have faith Jesus will make a way for their friend.
Everyone knows why the man is there, but Jesus doesn’t start with the obvious. He says, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” Not “get up and walk.” Not yet. He goes deeper first.
If I’m honest, that’s not always what I want. I want the visible fix. The quick relief. The thing I’ve been praying for to finally change!
But Jesus starts with the root. He extends grace before healing. Why? Because what’s happening inside of us matters more than what’s happening around us.
Ask yourself: “Am I asking Jesus to fix symptoms while avoiding what’s actually going on underneath?”
What if instead of praying for God to make your parents or in-laws easier to get along with, you also asked him to soften your heart?
What if instead of asking God to remove a tough situation, you also asked for the strength to endure it?
What if instead of asking him to take away fear, you also asked for courage to move forward with him in that fear?
Whatever you’re bringing to God, ask him to help you see the deeper need underneath. He still has authority—not just over circumstances, but over your heart, your patterns, your need for control. He sees it all.
Eventually, Jesus does heal the man. Completely! He forgives him. Restores him. Then tells him to get up and head home. That’s the kind of restoration Jesus offers—not partial, but whole.
Yet sometimes, I still choose to settle for less than God’s best. I ask for just enough change to feel better … not enough to actually be different. It’s like getting a serious diagnosis and choosing over-the-counter medicine instead of real treatment. It doesn’t make sense, and yet, spiritually, I do it all the time.
God starts revealing something deeper—and instead of leaning in, I ask him to patch me up enough to get by. But God isn’t interested in “just good enough.” He wants the kind of healing that changes you from the inside out—just like Jesus did for the paralyzed man before he ever told him to stand up.
Lately, this has been my prayer: God, do what you know is best for me right now. Please don’t let me leave your presence unchanged.
I may not get immediate answers. Things might not shift overnight. Relief might not come as quickly as I’d like. But he still understands.
And if God’s going to work in my life, I don’t want him to stop at the surface. I want him to go deeper.
Reflection:
- If you’re honest, have you been settling for “just good enough” instead of trusting God with full restoration? Why might that be?
- Where in your life are you asking God for quick relief instead of real healing?
- What might he be trying to address beneath the surface that you’ve been avoiding?
Prayer:
Jesus, you see deeper than I do, and you care more about my heart than I can comprehend. Forgive me for the times I’ve settled for surface-level change instead of trusting you with what’s really going on underneath. Give me the humility to receive your grace and the courage to let you work on the deeper parts of my life—even when it’s uncomfortable. Help me to trust that what you’re doing is better than what I would ask for on my own. And as I come to you, don’t just bring relief—I want you to bring real healing. In your powerful name I pray, Amen.