Tag Archives: coping with pain

What You’ve Got Left

Posted on April 29, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Aspiring athletes and students are always looking for an edge, seeking to attain new heights.  Meanwhile, coaches and teachers use motivational speeches to get the most out of their pupils, trying to maximize their God given talents.  However, sometimes you need to remember the words of Job, “the Lord gives and takes away.”  Thus, whether you’re enduring a trial in life, struggling your way through a test or trying to stop a losing streak, God only has one question for you: what do you have left?

The apostle Paul shares this sentiment, reflecting upon a physical ailment he was forced to accept, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.  Paul’s health concerns led him to embrace this situation, leaning on the Lord to help him cope with daily pain.  Humbled and helpless, Paul found inner strength when he placed his trust in God with what he had left.  Once he reached this point in his life, Paul uncovered the power of Christ in human weakness.

As for me, I find myself doing just the opposite, relying on my own strengths and talents to get by.  The end result has been predictable, lacking joy, peace and unfulfilled in my current state of life.  Despite my failures, I serve a God of second chances, able to rescue me from myself, Psalm 91:14-15.  Therefore, if you find yourself in a similar predicament, swallow your pride by giving God what you’ve got left.

When has Christ shined through your weaknesses?

by Jay Mankus

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Deep Wounds

Posted on April 22, 2014 by expressyourself4him

As a child, you tend to place your favorite people up on a pedal stool, doing no wrong in your eyes.  However, when reality sets in as these people shatter your perfect image of them, heart break often follows.  Subsequently, deep wounds open, inflicting your soul with anguish unlike anything you’ve experienced before.

During the days of Israel’s exile, the prophet Jeremiah pours out his heart in a letter entitled Lamentations.  Weeping through his writing, Jeremiah refers to wounds as deep as the sea floor, Lamentations 2:13.  Perhaps Jeremiah is struggling with his expectations of God’s promises compared to the reality of his current condition.  Like being rejected by the man or woman of your dreams, deep wounds form which some never recover from or take years to heal.

If you stop for a moment to look around, you are probably surrounded by individuals hiding their pain.  Whether it’s the reckless driver on your way to work, the disgruntled employee or quiet neighbor, each is trying to cope with their pain.  Depending upon your response to their needs, you will either sooth or worsen their wounds.  Let your light shine today, Matthew 5:13, to help others begin to heal from the deep wounds of life.

Please comment on how you have been healed or helped someone else start this process.

by Jay Mankus

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My Pain is Christ’s Gain

Posted on March 16, 2014 by expressyourself4him

I am not the first to ask why God allows bad things to happen.  Nor will I be the last to demand a response.  However, after one month of complaining, groaning and frustration, I sensed the Holy Spirit whisper to me yesterday, “my pain is Christ’s gain.”

As a former professional athlete, I’ve always been able to rely on my God given talents, to work harder than the next person, regularly experiencing success.  Yet, when your ability to breathe, lift more than 5 pounds and walk is taken away, you become helpless.  Thus, I was placed into a situation where I was vulnerable, forced to depend on Christ’s strength, 2 Corinthians 12:9, to ease my pain.

T-Shirt companies have created similar themes in the past, using God’s Gym instead of Gold’s Gym.  On the back, Jesus is doing a push up with the weight of the world, the cross on his back.  Nonetheless, a conversation on my first day back at work revealed the true reason for my accident.  One of my co-workers was encouraged by posts updating my progress.  Subsequently, without my fall, I wouldn’t have had the material to cover these topics.  Thus, in the end, God allowed my injury, 2 broken ribs, a lacerated liver and internal bleeding to occur so that my pain was Christ’s gain for eternity.

by Jay Mankus

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Stop Pouting and Start Leading

Posted on March 1, 2014 by expressyourself4him

When someone is hurt, ill or sad, its easy to become distracted, absorbed by the painful reality of life.  One of the common reactions is to pout, a visible form of depression by expressing disappointment through your body language.  This pitiful state blinds individuals from those who need you the most, often resulting in isolation and withdraw.  Once you reach this point, its hard to snap out of this mindset.

Since my tubing accident, I guess you can say I lost or wasted the entire month of February.  I feel like I have been bewitched by the sorrow of my circumstances, similar to the church of Galatia who lost sight of faith, Galatians 3:1-5.  In my mental absence, my wife has tried to hold our family together as best as she could.  However, now its time for me to stop pouting and start leading.

“Compromise is the language of the devil,” according to one of Eric Liddell’s mentors in Chariot’s of Fire.  As a parent, if you allow your children to wear you down, compromise will become a way of life.  As my eyes have awoken from my spiritual slumber, its essential for me to lead my kids toward the less traveled road, Matthew 7:13-14.  However, words are meaningless unless I display the way.  Therefore, I need to experience a Chrysalis like the butterfly, 2 Corinthians 5:17, who enters as an inch worm and exits transformed on wings like eagles, Isaiah 40:31.  If people stop pouting and start leading, this generation can be saved one life at a time.

by Jay Mankus

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P.A.I.N.

Posted on February 14, 2014 by expressyourself4him

As I was struggling to fall asleep, the following acronym popped into my head: Previous Accidents Impacting Nerves.  With 2 broken ribs, a lacerated liver and lungs still not functioning as they should, pain is something I must overcome if I want my health to be restored fully.   Unfortunately, pain often influences individuals in a negative manner, leading to changed attitudes, behavior and unhealthy patterns.

For instance, once a solider completes his or her tour of duty, no one fully understands the hell they endured except for their squadron or team.  Thus, when the John Rambo’s of America’s armed services return home, fitting in takes time and for some, adjusting to the spoiled brats of today’s culture never happens.  Nightmares depict a living video game, without a happy ending or reset button to start life over.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKSKcGSAuXY

Meanwhile, pain is something a husband and wife can never fully grasp once a decision to divorce fatally wounds the souls of their children.  Blaming themselves, many youth across this country cry themselves to sleep, praying that mom and dad will change their mind.  The unborn child doesn’t receive a voice, discarded in dumpsters daily as mothers can only think of what could have been.  Pain is not a pleasant topic to address, yet without tackling these issues people of faith won’t learn to endure hardship as they should, 2 Timothy 2:3-5.  As previous accidents impact your own nerves, come to Jesus for relief, nurturing your soul as you cope with these ongoing pains, Matthew 11:28-30.

by Jay Mankus

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Holding on to Misery

Posted on December 6, 2013 by expressyourself4him

When a person is depressed, its hard to lesser their pain.  In fact, its only takes one negative individual to suck the life out of a room.  Before you know it, doom and gloom hovers over this place, like a dense spiritual fog influencing the behavior of others in a negative manner.

Known as the weeping prophet, Jeremiah was not a bull frog; rather he was a servant of God who was given mostly bad news to convey to Israel.  In a letter called Lamentations, Jeremiah pours out his heart to God.  Wrestling with questions such as why me God, this distraught man let’s his emotions out through the writing of this biblical book.  Lamentations 3:17 gives a quick snap shot of Jeremiah’s misery, “I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is.”

Despite what the present may bring you, holding on to misery is the wrong choice.  Yes, a sad face is good for the heart, but endless complaining is not a healthy solution, Philippians 2:14.  May you follow after the example of Mary in John 12:1-3, as she demonstrated Jesus’ own advice in Matthew 11:28-30.  Whatever burdens are rocking your world, may you find rest for your soul at the feet of Jesus.  Hope is waiting for you on the other side of the door, Revelation 3:20.

by Jay Mankus

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Humble Pie

Posted on July 1, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Served when you least expect it, humble pie is a tough dessert to swallow.  As you lose your appetite for life, emotions can waver, pulsating beyond your control.  In these moments of spiritual indigestion, even Pepto Bismol can’t reduce the pain within your body.

While examining the plate that I have been given in life, I have come to the realization that “I’m not in Kansas any more Toto.”  Instead, I am on the run with a weak mind, wounded heart and diminishing traces of courage.  From the inside looking out, I’ve had my fill of humility for the year.  As I’m off to see the real Wizard, the Bible has some encouraging words for those of you tired and weary.

According to Hebrews 2:14, Jesus humbled himself, coming down to our level.  Other passages like 2 Chronicles 7:14 suggest humble pie is a blessing in disguise, leading the broken toward prayer.  In additional, God gives grace to the humble, Proverbs 3:34, guiding those who endure this in the right direction, Psalm 25:9.  Therefore, if you’ve been to the All You Can Eat Humility Buffet one too many times, do not fret.  God will raise you up, just where you are, on wings like eagle, carrying you til you taste eternal life, Isaiah 40:28-29.

by Jay Mankus

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