Tag Archives: emotional

When You Can’t See Progress… Trust in God’s Presence

Posted on October 18, 2023 by expressyourself4him

If you are an emotional person like me, waiting to see progress in life can become frustrating. Whenever anxiety begins to overwhelm you, this is when you have to remember the words of the apostle Paul, “walk by faith, not by sight,” 2 Corinthians 5:7. What this is essentially suggesting is that when you can’t see progress, trust in signs of God’s presence, Romans 1:20.

Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You [progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with You, perceiving and recognizing and understanding more strongly and clearly] and that I may find favor in Your sight. And [Lord, do] consider that this nation is Your people. 14 And the Lord said, My Presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest, Exodus 33:13-14.

As a former teacher, I am always reminded of the power of history. The apostle Paul writes an entire chapter on the history of Israel for the Church at Corinth so that they could learn from the mistakes of the past, 1 Corinthians 10:1-7. Quoting the writings of George Santayana, ” those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it?” This is where faith and trusting in God comes into play.

Therefore my heart is glad and my glory [my inner self] rejoices; my body too shall rest and confidently dwell in safety, 10 For You will not abandon me to Sheol (the place of the dead), neither will You suffer Your holy one [Holy One] to see corruption. 11 You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore, Psalm 16:9-11.

The above passage is from David. As a humble shepherd, David never imagined that one day he would become king of Israel. David is a prime example that when you can’t see progress, trust in God’s presence. When I recently listened to the words of 1 Samuel 17:44-49, David rejected the requested armor and placed his sole trust in his God given ability to sling a rock. Therefore, the next time you sense your faith about to waver, trust in God’s presence and power, 2 Timothy 1:7.

by Jay Mankus

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A Joyful Bliss

Posted on February 24, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Whenever an individual reaches a state of bliss, their life is experiencing perfect happiness where great joy naturally flows out of their soul. Unfortunately, many human beings never get a sniff of bliss. Others may turn to alcohol or drugs to numb the pain they are currently enduring. At some point during a night out on the time bliss is achieved, but when morning arrives a hangover or memory loss forgets the sensational feeling of joyful bliss.

Melchizedek king of Salem [later called Jerusalem] brought out bread and wine [for their nourishment]; he was the priest of God Most High, 19 And he blessed him and said, Blessed (favored with blessings, made blissful, joyful) be Abram by God Most High, Possessor and Maker of heaven and earth, Genesis 14:18-19.

According to Moses, great victories in life can contribute to and directly lead to a joyful bliss. When a priest of the God Most High approached Abram with bread and wine upon his return home from battle, Abram appears to have gotten emotional. As champions reflect upon the journey and work that went into training for a success outcome, certain details stick out. Perhaps, Abram remembered how the Lord led Pharaoh to graciously give Abram servants who became the core of his army.

I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture. 10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it [b]overflows). 11 I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep, John 10:9-11.

While speaking with his disciples, Jesus uses another term in place of joyful bliss. According to John, Jesus spoke about living an abundant life by seizing the moment, maximizing each opportunity the Lord gives you every day. As Christians chase after this White Rabbit, joyful bliss, the Devil is looking to steal your joy by killing the spiritual momentum you’ve built up in 2023. This invisible enemy is your main stumbling block, 1 Peter 5:8, keeping you from tasting joy. This is where prayer is used to build a hedge of protection around those whom you love to make a joyful bliss possible with a slice of heaven on earth.

by Jay Mankus

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A Complementary Helper

Posted on December 4, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Greek Mythology refers to soulmates as two halves of the same person who were separated by the Greek god Zeus due to jealousy and fear. While the Bible never directly mentions the term soulmates in the Bible, Genesis 2:24 and Matthew 19:4-6 suggests that the person you decide to marry should be a complementary helper. Based upon the passage below, God thought Adam might find a best friend like a dog from one of God’s created animals placed in the garden. Yet, no helper was found.

Now the Lord God said, It is not good (sufficient, satisfactory) that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper (suitable, adapted, complementary) for him, Genesis 2:18.

King Solomon devotes a portion of the Book of Ecclesiastes to highlight why two people are better than one. Solomon provides a couple of examples in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. This complementary helper may serve as a listener one day, a source of encouragement as well as challenge you so that you might reach your full potential. While some individuals search for a soulmate who may be identical, others pray for someone who complements their weak areas in life.

Then Adam said, This [creature] is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of a man. 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall become united and cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh, Genesis 2:23-24.

Adam’s personality is not detailed by Moses in Genesis. However, in the passage above Adam gets emotional as he is overwhelmed by God’s creation of Eve. After feeling his side, the place where God removed his rib and some flesh, a complementary helper of the opposite sex stood right in front of him. While Adam and Eve’s family got off to a rough start following Abel’s murder by their oldest child, this couple spent 900 years together on earth. Although it’s not mentioned in the Bible, I’m sure Adam and Eve learned how to become to complementary helpers through the years. A goal worth shooting for.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 67: Freak Out

Posted on April 8, 2022 by expressyourself4him

The Echoing Green is one of those groups that has grown on me over the years. One of their talents is creating cosmic remixes of classic song like Safety Dance. Today’s featured song is another remix that my oldest son James loved to listen to when I first bought Freak Out. The Echoing Green’s version contains the same classic funky beat with a modern style and sound.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control, 2 Timothy 1:7.

Fear is one of those aspects in life that often comes out of nowhere. This emotional shock will catch you off guard and will make some freak out. Perhaps, this is why the apostle Paul writes a letter to a teenage pastor who is struggling with fear. If you are always on the defensive and never switch over to a proactive faith, freaking out will wear you out over time. Therefore, lean on the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome fear.

by Jay Mankus

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Who is There to Hurt You?

Posted on March 10, 2022 by expressyourself4him

While anxiety is less intense than fear, stress tends to be a more sustained emotional response than phobias. Although human beings may be threatened by overreaching and power-hungry individuals, inner demons are often your own worst enemy. Anyone who has ever experienced an anxiety attack, know the overwhelming feeling you endure and how it can interfere with your daily life.

Now who is there to hurt you if you are [d]zealous followers of that which is good? – 1 Peter 3:13

Since my days at Hanby Junior High School in Wilmington, Delaware, I’ve turned to music to find comfort and hope. Whenever I was sad, I’d listen to Air Supply or Chicago which made me even more depressed. Perhaps this empty feeling eventually drew me to only listen to Christian music. While in college, a friend introduced me to punk rock and a group called the Altar Boys. The emptiness I once experienced was replaced by a quiet confidence thanks to the song “When I’m with God.”

But even in case you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, [you are] blessed (happy, to be envied). Do not dread or be afraid of their threats, nor be disturbed [by their opposition], 1 Peter 3:14.

No matter how big, tall or old you may be, there is always someone faster, stronger and smarter. Despite all of the new threats that you may experience, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ has eased many of my anxieties in life. Like the words of one of Jesus’ disciples in the passage above, who is there to hurt you if you are passionately following the Lord? No one likes hardships, persecution or trials, but when I’m with God my fears tend to fade away. Place your hope in Jesus today, Romans 10:9-11.

by Jay Mankus

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The Toll of Temptation

Posted on September 5, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Canon Pictures 015

A few years ago, I read an article on the effects marathons had on a runners body.  Based upon totals miles run, long distant runners can lose between a half inch and inch in height over the course of their lives.  The constant pounding on ligaments and tendons takes a toll on the human body, eventually wearing down and shrinking over time.  This might explain how I lost nearly an inch in height after running several thousand miles over a 7 year span.

At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent, Proverbs 5:11.

Inside the human body, another aging process is occurring.  The obvious is the decay of internal organs.  However, the one I am eluding to involves the emotional and spiritual toll temptation takes on the soul.  When you don’t feel well, people make reservations to see a doctor.  However, there are some health conditions that can only be cured by a spiritual transformation.

I do not understand what I do.  For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do, Romans 7:15.

The apostle Paul once experienced a trying time in his life.  While the specifics are missing, it appears Paul was struggling to overcome some sort of addiction.  No matter what he tried failed.  Sin was ravaging Paul’s life, unable to break free from this chain of sin.  If you find yourself in a similar pattern, intervention is a must.  Seek out a friend, fellow believer or godly influence to bring you out of this pit of despair.  If you refuse help, the toll of temptation will continue to devastate your soul.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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How Would You Respond to This?

Posted on October 30, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Like most men, I’m not as emotional as my wife, nor do I get involved in the lives as others like she does.  However, today I witnessed something gut-wrenching.  On my out of a local restaurant, I saw an elderly man with his head down on a table.  Continuing toward the exit, I noticed the reason for his grief on the other side of the glass, a lone suitcase on the floor.

Before the days of retirement communities, families took care of and watched over their grandparents.  This wasn’t a nuisance or something to dread, rather it was expected.  This was the least you could do to pay homage to the legacy each lived.  Unfortunately, this man is a casualty of the times, a victim of families destroyed by abuse, abandonment and divorce.  With no where to go, this broke man took a break from his misery, hoping to wake up with a place to call home.  How would you respond to this situation?

Before my eyes was a modern day parable of the good Samaritan, Luke 10.  Immediately following the sending out of 72 disciples, they were put to the test to see what they were made of.  As for me, I re-enacted the character of the priest and Levites, pausing before moving on with my life.  Disappointed by my failure, I pray that a good Samaritan arrives to lend a helping hand.  When you face a similar scene, how will you respond to this?  May the Holy Spirit fill you with a heart of action to be the hands and feet of Christ to the brokenhearted.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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Demonic Seduction

Posted on August 1, 2014 by expressyourself4him

In their movie productions over the last 25 years, Hollywood has a way of de-emphasizing the role demons play in life.  Instead, a typical plot places good against evil, with the enemy usually clearly defined after 2 hours.  Unfortunately, the spiritual realm keeps most people in the dark for years, opening the door for a demonic seduction.  Usually, for victims, by the time this spiritual reality is revealed, its too late to turn back as powers of darkness are too great to overcome, Ephesians 6:12.

As an optimist, I tend to believe human beings have good intentions, yet develop bad habits over time which lead to trouble.  This is where the father of lies enters the arena, John 8:44, using fallen angels to influence worldly leaders, Revelation 17:2, with tempting thoughts whispered into minds, “go ahead, try this or that, it will make you feel unbelievable?”  James 1:13-15 describes this slippery slope, comparing it to a fish who is unable to resist a worm placed right in front of its mouth.  Demon seduction begins as soon as you are hooked, enticed and lured away by a soul longing for  emotional, physical and social needs that have not been met by anyone or anything else in your life.

When I turn on the news or listen to the radio, I am not deceived by the headlines: drug overdose, school shooting, serial killer or teenage suicide.  Rather, I am reminded by Ephesians 4:26 of a demonic seduction brought on by anger, jealousy or rage.  While the cable news networks may get excited by a jump in their ratings when the next tragedy occurs, most people are missing the real story of a demon seduction that has stolen one person’s soul and left a path of destruction reminiscent of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:13.

If you want to know more about this topic, watch a recent episode of the Haunting on Destination America entitled the Demon Seduction.  If you want to talk more about this please email me at jlmankus@aol.com or send me a private message on Facebook.  Whenever you encounter this phenomena, don’t fight it alone.  Call on churches, prayer warriors and spiritual leaders to wage this war with you.  Although this topic may be hard to believe, its real.

by Jay Mankus

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The Prompting of the Heart

Posted on December 20, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Hollywood has made fortunes making love story films.  While some are comedies, created for a good laugh, every year there is usually one that connects with the human spirit.  Whether its a scene, a similar situation an individual has endured or a real life story, drama has a way of touching hearts, striking a nerve or unlocking the floodgates as tears stream down faces in the audience.

In the book of Exodus, Moses refers to a spiritual prompting, moving someone to give out of the overflow of their heart.  Whether its the sight of a homeless person on a street corner, pictures of a natural disaster on television or guilt from a privileged life without any trials, the heart moves people beyond their comfort zones, Exodus 25:2.  King Solomon compared to heart to a underground springs, bubbling with life, forcing water to the surface, Proverbs 4:23.

According to Jesus, when the prompting of the heart ceases in many, end times are near, Matthew 24:12.  The so what, I don’t care, what a waste of time mentality has spread like a cancer among several communities.  Hate crimes, violence and wickedness are merely byproducts of hearts that have turned cold.  Maybe Foreigner was right in their song, “Cold as Ice,” except in these days you don’t have to break up with someone to witness or be a recipient.  Regardless of how holy Christians claim to be, we all need a spiritual heart transplant, Galatians 5:6, so that the prompting of our hearts will make this world a better place to live!

by Jay Mankus

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