Tag Archives: addiction

Self Medicating Pain

Posted on January 9, 2018 by expressyourself4him

According to a 2017 article posted on The Upshot, Josh Katz uses new data to illustrate that drug deaths in America are rising faster than ever before.  Drug overdose claimed the lives of nearly 64,000 Americans in 2016.  A large majority of these deaths are being blamed on opioids, prompting a 2017 presidential commission to address this growing crisis.  Instead of coping with depression, an attempt to self medicate pain has resulted in deadly addictions nationwide.

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.  When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” – Matthew 9:10-11.

During the first century, class warfare was commonly practiced to avoid negative influences from those who shared a different worldview.  This mindset caused religious leaders to question Jesus’ association with sinners, regularly dining and reaching out to social outcasts within society.  In the passage below, Jesus reveals the purpose for this unusual outreach.  If you read between the lines, the goal for any adult is learning how to take care of yourself.  This is a sign of maturity, being able to self medicate pain through spiritual practices.

On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick, Matthew 9:12.

The apostle Paul shines light on how this is accomplished within Philippians 2:1-4.  The spiritual healthy gradually develop a Christ like mindset.  Before beginning every day, Jesus withdrew to a quiet place, often on a mountain top outside of where he was staying, void of distractions.  Essentially, Paul is suggesting you can’t help others until you take care of your own needs first.  When your daily devotions, prayer and reflection is complete each morning, you are primed to self medicate pain.  Until this process is complete, you won’t be any good to anyone.  Therefore, if you want to be healthy, not needing a doctor, start each day with a daily dose of Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

The Paralysis of Sin

Posted on June 7, 2017 by expressyourself4him

Terms like debilitating, immobility and incapacity describe symptoms of paralysis.  Those individuals whose lives are turned upside down by accidents, disease or extreme events are forced to go with life with several new obstacles to overcome.  Unfortunately, paralysis can attack souls through the presence and spread of sin.

I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate, Romans 7:15.

The apostle Paul highlights how sin impacts individual actions.  Similar to an addiction, bad habit or compulsive behavior, the ability to maintain self-control is lost.  This phenomena is not exempt for Christians as anyone who plays with fire in the form of temptation will eventually get burned.  Thus, even a missionary like Paul was paralyzed by sin.

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin, James 4:17.

One of the people who has made the greatest impact on my life is Skip Wilkins.  After becoming a high school All-American in 4 sports, Skip was paralyzed while water skiing before his senior year.  When colleges heard of his accident, all 2000 plus full scholarships were rescinded.  Skip’s faith helped him overcome this setback and eventually became a motivational speaker.  If it wasn’t for Skip Wilkins testimony, I still might be paralyzed by sin.  Yet, because of Christ’s life, death and resurrection, you too can be set free from sin as there are no wheel chairs in heaven.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

It Seemed Pretty Innocent at the Time

Posted on April 17, 2017 by expressyourself4him

Hollywood story lines attempt to produce a few basic responses.  Comedies seek to provoke laughter, dramas hope to gain your attention and genres somewhere in between try to imitate life through the art of entertainment.  Despite getting this down to a science, projecting which film, series and program will flop or succeed hasn’t been perfected.  Thus, the concept of pushing the envelope continues, stretching further and further each year.

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! – Isaiah 5:20

The idea of a poor school teacher dying of cancer turning toward drugs to provide for his family seemed pretty innocent at the time.  The backdrop to Breaking Bad was original and made sense.  Why would a hard working man want to leave his family with the debt of countless medical bills.  Yet, as chemistry teacher Walter White begins manufacturing and selling methamphetamine, a cult following began during this shows five year run.  Like anything in life, this concept influenced some to produce and experiment with meth.

For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer, Romans 13:4.

My wife flew to Chicago on Wednesday for a funeral of a family member who became enslaved by meth.  While Bryan Cranston was able to evade the law in Breaking Bad, my nephew wasn’t as fortunate.  In real life, most behavior seems relatively innocent at first.  Yet, as you move from the light into darkness, evil stimulates further immoral acts.  By the time most people come to their senses, addiction has already arrived.  While I’m not blaming this hit show for Brandon’s drug overdose, I’m merely warning anyone on the verge of breaking bad.  May God send the Holy Spirit quickly to those who need divine intervention to escape darkness by finding the light.

by Jay Mankus

1 Comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Linger, Lust and Lost

Posted on April 8, 2017 by expressyourself4him

Drifting, hobbling or remaining idle are words which describe linger.  This state can lull people into a false sense of security.  Any type of prolonged visit here can stagger any sort of spiritual progress in the past.  I refer to linger as the first of 3 deadly L’s, laying the ground work for a crash, fall or prodigal act to follow.

Though he cannot bear to let it go and lets it linger in his mouth, Job 20:13.

The half way point on the road to destruction, Matthew 7:13, blends into linger.  Like a natural progression, lust is a byproduct of someone who is curious, distracted and side tracked.  Imagine a fish who is hungry.  Sure, fish realize the worm is on some sort of hook, but this craving leads to an irrational behavior.  If the tempter pulls as you take a bite, addiction is set in motion.

But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death, James 1:14-15.

In the parable of the prodigal son, Luke 15, a doctor makes an interesting observation of a lost person.  Luke compares this phase of life as an individual who loses their perspective.  This debilitating state leads unwitting souls to hit rock bottom.  Like a never ending abyss, people continue in a free fall until one comes to their senses.  If this blog finds you somewhere on the road to destruction, lingering, lustful or lost, may the Holy Spirit pull you back in the right direction toward the road to recovery.  Keep the faith as the Bible illuminates the way, Psalm 119:105.

by Jay Mankus

4 Comments

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Driven From the Light

Posted on April 2, 2017 by expressyourself4him

When I moved back to Delaware in the last 1990’s, I began to have some initially eye issues.  Similar to pink eye, my condition began to involve pain.  One evening, I felt like a needle was stuck in my eye.  Whenever my eyes were exposed to light, this shooting pain intensified.  Subsequently, I was driven from the light into the darkness of an emergency room.

He is driven from light into the realm of darkness and is banished from the world, Job 18:18.

Bildad, a friend of Job’s refers to a different reference.  The context of the verse above refers to an individual who is affected by a harmful addiction.  When this illness becomes full blown, sin drives people from the light into a world of darkness.  Sometimes this dark transformation is subtle and other times its drastic, over night.

But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death, James 1:14-15.

During my five years of blogging, I have crafted nearly 2000 blogs.  The one which has received the most comments and feedback is entitled The Second Glance.  This piece shines light on how lust can suck someone into a life of sin.  According to the passage above, full blow sin amounts to addiction.  Thus, if you allow yourself to become intrigued with a second glance like Eve in the Garden of Eden, it won’t be long before you are driven from the light into darkness.  In view of this dangerous threat, hold on tightly to Jesus whenever you feel yourself about to give into sin.

by Jay Mankus

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Awakening Demons

Posted on February 11, 2017 by expressyourself4him

The Bible suggests that demons are territorial.  Yet, there are passages that detail Satan roaming the earth, seeking to expand his control.  This is accomplished by exploiting weakness to influence, poison and seduce minds through a series of subtle compromises.  If anyone wanders off the narrow path described in Jesus’ sermon on the Mount, you might just awaken a demon or demons.

“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.  Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order, Matthew 12:43-44.”

The most common example of awakening demons occurs to people who have gone through some sort of rehabilitation.  Those recovering from addiction are at the greatest risk.  Jesus refers to an individual in the passage above who is on the right track, healed from their condition.  Unfortunately, at some point this person reverts back to their prior behavior, opening the door for demons to return.  In this scenario, additional demons are awakened to torment this soul.

“Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation, Matthew 12:45.”

In this day and age, the byproducts of demons are often felt but not seen.  This technicality causes many to leave the notion of demons to the world of fiction.  This lack of belief allows demonic powers to spread.  Yet, the moment anyone begins to threaten their domain, its like accidentally stepping on a bee hive.  If you have experienced some kind of bizarre attack which defies logic, perhaps you have just awakened demons.  Don’t go into this battle alone.  Rather, find a group of saints to form a hedge of protection with prayer.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

My Blind Spot

Posted on November 6, 2016 by expressyourself4him

The other night at work I avoided a woman pushing a cart filled with boxes taller than herself.  Expecting the worst, I jumped out of her oncoming path.  When she finally saw me I was greeted by, “I’m sorry, you were in my blind spot.”

But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him, John 11:10.

Little did this lady know that 24 hours later I would be dealing with my own blind spots.  Unfortunately, a series of test over the last 2 weeks have revealed I can’t see that far on either side of my right eye.  Perhaps my eye surgery will improve this condition or keep it from deteriorating.  Either way blind spots are a way of life.

To give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace, Luke 1:79.

In the spiritual realm, addiction, bad habits and poor choices blind people from their imperfections.  These warts don’t go away, especially when others enable individuals to justify inappropriate behavior.  Whenever anyone reaches this point, its essential to remember Jesus’ words, to leave darkness by coming to the light through confession.  While physical blind spots will always exist, may you come to the light so that healing will begin.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Don’t Take The Bait

Posted on September 22, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Fisherman tend to be superstitious.  Whether its a specific time, spot or lure, past success feeds these rituals and traditions.  In the spiritual realm, Satan is the fisherman and human are the fish.  Each soul tends to be susceptible to certain things which varies from person to person.  These weaknesses are known by the Devil, tempting individuals to take the bait.

Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away, James 1:14.

Since a handful of the disciples were fishermen, some of their words reflect this lifestyle.  In the passage above, James realized that certain types of bait catch a fishes eye.  Once enticed, fish are lured out of hiding into open waters.  If this curiosity continues, sooner or later fish will take the bait, becoming hooked.  In the same way, people who develop bad habits become vulnerable to addiction.  Once hooked, people often destroy themselves as Satan moves on, searching for the next gullible victim.

Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love! – Proverbs 7:18

The older you get, the greater and more complex temptations become.  The context in the verse above Solomon urges young men to avoid desperate and lonely women.  While the eye candle may be difficult to resist, the quicker you say no the better off you will be.  However, as soon as you master one weak area, further temptations will come at you fast and furious.  Therefore, be on guard, take a stand or else may be the next to take the bait.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Regress or Resolve

Posted on September 9, 2016 by expressyourself4him

If you live long enough, everyone will experience periods of atavism, backsliding and reverting back to previous habits of your childhood.  The dictionary refers to this as regression, where individuals return to a less developed state.  These lapses can last a few days, linger or develop into addictive states.  Thus, the sooner one acts, the better you will be in the future.

For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death, Romans 7:11.

Unfortunately, depression is a powerful force.  This mood can oppress the soul, crippling any good intentions to escape.  Beside prayer and fasting, resolve is one of the last hopes for anyone stuck in a rut.  Imaging the person you use to be and seek to become is a step in the right direction, yet doubt, fear and uncertainty create a valley that seems too wide to jump over.

As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me, Romans 7:17.

Nonetheless, experiencing regression sucks, not a fun place to call home.  As I search for the person I use to be, I often wonder if I will ever see glimpses of the man I once was.  As I wait to see how this story unfolds, there is much work to do and restoration to accomplish.  Yet, for now I cling to resolve, resisting the urge to continue in complacency.  Perhaps, the apostle Paul endured a similar battle in Romans 7.  Thanks be to God for a Savior who conquered sin and death so that those wrestling with regression may one day taste victory.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

The Cords of Sin

Posted on September 8, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Bonds, fibers, links and twines are words synonymous with cords.  These flexible long strands are usually applied in a positive manner.  Yet, this material meant for good can also serve as a web of entanglement.  Thus, the cords of sin can ensnare any wayward soul.

The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast, Proverbs 5:22.

The author of Hebrews provides a different perspective.  Comparing life to a marathon, you never know what you are going to encounter.  Along the journey you take, its essential to unload anything that is weighing you down.  The sooner you act, the smoother your travels will go.  This is where perseverance will keep many from abandoning the race.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, Hebrews 12:1.

Whenever you hit a bad stretch in life, its hard to recover.  To make matters worse, its doesn’t take much to become held down by the cords of sin.  Obstacles may include addiction, bad habits and poor choices.  In view of this dangerous state, cry out to the Lord, reach out to fellow believers for help and purge those things that keep you from hearing God’s voice.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.
← Older Posts
Newer Posts →