Tag Archives: health

The Message Behind the Music-April 17

Posted on April 17, 2026 by expressyourself4him

Three Days Grace – Pain (Official Video)

Inspiration Behind Pain:

The lyrics of Pain comes from lead singer Adam Gontier’s experience battling an addiction to OxyContin. Pain was a daily battle during Adam’s rehab. The lyrics point to a more graphic and honest assessment of what is takes to fully recover from a drug addiction. Pain has become an anthem for individuals facing hardship and emotional turmoil.

Biblical Application:

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize, 1 Corinthians 9:26-27.

Exegesis of Pain:

Pain, without love
Pain, I can’t get enough
Pain, I like it rough
‘Cause I’d rather feel pain than nothing at all

OxyContin is a pain killer than takes away your pain after a major surgery. Unfortunately, this is an extremely addictive substance. This is the context of the opening stanza.

You’re sick of feeling numb
You’re not the only one
I’ll take you by the hand
And I’ll show you a world that you can understand

Adam wants to help people facing a similar addiction today. Leading others through this pain and helping them understand what’s at stake.

This life is filled with hurt
When happiness doesn’t work
Trust me and take my hand
When the lights go out, you’ll understand

Adam is either referring to coping with addiction at night or before you undergo a major surgery and get knocked out until the procedure has been completed.

Pain (pain), without love
Pain (pain), I can’t get enough
Pain (pain), I like it rough
‘Cause I’d rather feel pain than nothing at all

Adam explains that pain is a good thing while trying to free his body from the use of OxyContin.

Pain (pain), without love
Pain (pain), I can’t get enough
Pain (pain), I like it rough
‘Cause I’d rather feel pain than nothing at all

Feeling pain means that he is not taking OxyContin.

Anger and agony
Are better than misery
Trust me, I’ve got a plan
When the lights go off, you’ll understand

Adam provides a series of emotions that he endured during rehab, explaining that anger and agony are signs of progress and recovery.

Pain (pain), without love
Pain (pain), I can’t get enough
Pain (pain), I like it rough
‘Cause I’d rather feel pain than nothing at all

Overcoming addiction is like fighting another boxer, trying to be defensive with an occasion jab to be proactive.

Pain (pain), without love
Pain (pain), I can’t get enough
Pain (pain), I like it rough
‘Cause I’d rather feel pain than nothing
Rather feel pain

Unless you have been to rehab or struggled to overcome bad habits, you need mental toughness that exists inside a long-distance runner and a heavy weight champion.

(I know, I know, I know, I know)
I know that you’re wounded
(You know, you know, you know, you know)
That I’m here to save you
(You know, you know, you know, you know)
I’m always here for you
(I know, I know, I know, I know)
That you’ll thank me later

This song serves as emotional support and encouragement to keep battling until you are freed from addiction.

Pain, without love
Pain, can’t get enough
Pain, I like it rough
‘Cause I’d rather feel pain than nothing at all

Stick it out and keep fighting as pain will be a daily presence.

Pain (pain), without love
Pain (pain), I can’t get enough
Pain (pain), I like it rough
‘Cause I’d rather feel pain than nothing at all

This repetitive chorus suggests that the end of this song is near.

Pain (pain), without love
Pain (pain), I can’t get enough
Pain (pain), I like it rough
‘Cause I’d rather feel pain than nothing at all
Rather feel pain than nothing at all
Rather feel pain

The first step to recovery is acknowledging that you have a problem. Loved ones can’t fully help you until you reach this point in life. Pain is a reality of life. However, once addiction is conquered, there will be another set of challenges waiting for you to face.

Final Thoughts:

We all have dark periods in our lives, often influenced by poor choices. Some people recover without anyone noticing while others go down a one-way road that leads to destruction. There is no easy way out or shortcut back to normalcy. Addictions, bad habits and unwholesome cravings can ravage your soul. The key to recovery is to never give up hope, prevent the thought of quitting fro, entering your mind and fight through the pain until victory is achieved. However, you’ll need an accountability partner to walk with you along the way.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: September 10-The Spirits Behind Adult Drinks

Posted on September 10, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2011 movie “Young Adult”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? 30 Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly!32 In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.33 Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will imagine confusing things. 34 You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging.35 “They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt! They beat me, but I don’t feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?” – Proverbs 23:29-35

Biblical Connection:

Mavis Gary is a ghost writer living vicariously through Kendall Strickland. Similar to the Bruce Springsteen song Glory Days, Mavis believes her high school years were the best years of her life as a former prom queen. After a failed marriage and low book sales, Mavis turns to alcohol to ease her pain. One day during a meal with her parents, Mavis thinks that she has become an alcoholic.

During a series of wise sayings, the author points to the consequences of alcohol consumption. Rather than settle on a hangover, vivid side effects are listed as a warning to avoid getting drunk. If local adult beverage stores are named after Wine and Spirits, this should send a clear message for anyone thinking about getting drunk. These demonic spirits take over your body when you drink.

Closing Song:

Zach choses the words “the Devil in his bottle.” Unfortunately, not enough Christians acknowledge and speak out about the spirits that take over your body when drinking. May today’s blog help you understand the spirits behind adult drinks.

by Jay Mankus

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Someone Will Always Have It Worse Than You

Posted on August 21, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Last week I spent a few days at A.I. Children’s Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware.  This is one of the premiere facilities on the East Coast for young people struggling with crippling illnesses.  When my son Daniel arrived at the hospital, his blood sugar level as at 1000, the highest A.I. had ever received was 700.  Anything over 300 is considered dangerous.  Thus, despite all my family went through last week at least my son is alive.

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven, James 5:14-15.

Passing by several rooms, I encountered children in much worse shape than Daniel.  While diabetes is life altering, at least it can be treated.  There are countless battling for their lives, not knowing if and when their condition will worsen.  I guess the last 7 days has helped me put life into its proper perspective.  I learned that someone will always have it worse than you.

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul, 3 John 1:2.

One of the benefits of working at Amazon is that I engage several generations on a weekly basis.  Some associates are fresh out of high school, others trying to find their place in life and others forced out of retirement to receive healthcare.  Although everyone has good, bad and indifferent days, if you open your eyes you will always find someone worse off than you.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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Dr. Md; Is There a Doctor in the House?

Posted on March 3, 2015 by expressyourself4him

Illness can be a mystery, especially when no obvious symptoms are present.  One day you feel great; the next you struggle to get out of bed.  As more and more doctors retire after a generation of service, the desperate will continue to cry out for help, “is there a doctor in the house?”

And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.- James 5:15

Since 2012, I’ve battled a severe sinus infection that I can’t seem to shake.  Headaches, fevers and periods of fatigue have whittled away my faith of ever improving.  Perhaps, my condition are side affects from lyme disease that I first contracted in 1999.  Whatever the reason for my recent ailments, I pray that a doctor will come to my rescue with the correct diagnosis and cure.

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. – 3 John 1:2

Nonetheless, sometimes God allows a person to suffer without any signs of recovery.  According to 2 Corinthians 12:7, the Lord struck the apostle Paul with a thorn in his flesh.  This condition prevented Paul from becoming proud during his successful ministry on earth.  Despite crying out for healing, his request did not get answered.  Although I am currently waiting for insight, all I can do is trust God that one day soon my pain will fade away.

by Jay Mankus

 

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A Life Perspective of Matthew 6:33

Posted on January 20, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Looking back at the core principles my parents taught me, I learned 3 things lived out by my father: discipline, hard work and honoring the Sabbath.  As a son of an immigrant, my dad persevered as he learned English, eventually becoming a Ivy League student before entering the military.  His service to this country in the Army reinforced these attributes while his Roman Catholic background instilled in him a wholehearted effort to attend church wherever he was and whatever else he was doing.

Although the jealous may give circumstance or luck the credit, its clear that his successful career in sales, nice house at the beach and extended health is directly related to Matthew 6:33.  When an individual begins to seek God first by worshiping the Lord Sunday, starting each day in prayer or studying the Bible, these acts get God’s attention.  If these selfless acts continue with the right motives, the promise of daily bread and other blessings follow.  Sure, maybe my dad didn’t earn as much as he desired or reached the position of his dreams, but I see the fruits of his labor today.

While far from being perfect, I am trying to pass the baton to my own children so that they too may live a life of discipline, hard work and keeping God’s day holy.  Though the hypocrite in me may steer my kids off course from time to time, I can’t help but cling to Jesus promise within Matthew 6:33.  “But seek first his kingdom and his righteous and all these things (life, food, drink, clothes and health) will be given to you as well.”  Before 2014 speeds up too fast that you can’t catch up, take some time to slow down, Psalm 46:10, so that the hope of Matthew 6:33 may find you and your family.

by Jay Mankus

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