Do You Want To Be Healed From Your Mother Wounds?
Dr. Sarita T. Lyons
Author of Honor Thy Mother
“When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, ‘Do you want to be healed?’” (John 5:6, ESV).
I have always been struck by Jesus’ interaction with the invalid by the pool of Bethesda. This man had been sick for 38 years and had been by this pool for a long time, waiting for someone to put him in it. It was believed that an angel would “stir” the waters, and the first person to enter the pool after that would be healed.
Jesus asked him a direct and seemingly ridiculous question: “Do you want to be healed?” (John 5:6).
What is shocking is that the man’s answer was not affirmatively “Yes, I want to be healed.” Instead, he responded by complaining:
“Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me” (John 5:7, ESV).
Many of us can act similarly when we need healing, including healing for our mother wounds. Instead of recognizing the access we have to Jesus and accepting His healing, we complain or put our hope in something else.
If Jesus asked you, “Do you want to be healed of your mother wounds?” which of the following responses would you be tempted to offer as an excuse?
- I offered to go to counseling with her, but she didn’t want to go.
- Things will never change.
- I will never trust her again.
- Every time I try bringing up issues to my family, I’m treated like the bad guy, so I’m not going to try.
- She never abused me, so it’s not that bad.
- I’m fine; it is what it is.
Even though the lame man didn’t answer Jesus’ question, that didn’t stop Jesus from healing him. Jesus didn’t say anything about how the man avoided His question; He just said, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk” (John 5:8, NIV).
Then Scripture tells us, “Instantly the man got well, picked up his mat, and started to walk” (John 5:9, CSB).
Jesus is willing and able to heal your mother wounds. And here is the good news: Even if you have given up, that doesn’t stop Jesus.
Our problems may not immediately go away (if ever), and we may still struggle with emotional difficulty as we are healing, but we can still walk. Healing takes time. It’s a messy, nonlinear process. We make progress, then seemingly slide backward. But when we embrace the healing Jesus offers, we can still get up and walk. And He will be with us every step of the way.
Heavenly Father, thank You for offering me healing. Please help me to trust You with my mother wounds. Teach me how to accept that a full, beautiful life is possible even if everything I want to change doesn’t change. Help me believe You can change all things — including my relationship with, or disposition toward, my mother. In Jesus’ name, amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
Dr. Sarita T. Lyons has written a compassionate, biblically grounded guide for anyone navigating the pain of a complicated relationship with their mother in her new book, Honor Thy Mother: How to Grieve, Heal, and Make Peace with Your Mother Wounds.
ENGAGE
Enter to WIN your very own copy of Honor Thy Mother by Dr. Sarita T. Lyons. To celebrate this book, Dr. Lyons’ publisher will give away 5 copies! Enter to win by filling out the form here. {We’ll randomly select 5 winners and notify them via email by Monday, August 31, 2026.}
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Jeremiah 32:26-27, “The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: ‘Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?’” (ESV).
What is one situation in your life where Jesus is offering you an opportunity for relational healing with your mother or someone else? Instead of saying “Yes, I want healing,” are you making excuses or complaining?
Make a list of your complaints, excuses, and rationalizations as an act of confession and spend time in prayer, repenting and rejoicing that the Lord never walks away from us. Ask God to heal your mind and give you the courage and obedience to follow His next instructions.
We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
Originally published Monday, 24 August 2026.
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