Tag Archives: Mental Health

The Message Behind the Music-February 8: Theme for Week 2-Learning to Love

Inspiration Behind I Want to Know What Love Is:

The song I Want to Know What Love Is stems from the personal experiences in the life of Mick Jones as he searched for true love. As Mick reflected upon failed relationships from his past, the lyrics convey his journey to grow in his understanding of love. Former emotional connections and internal struggles served as a blueprint for these lyrics. During the initial recording of I Want to Know What Love Is, a gospel choir was added to provide a spiritual dynamic to this classic ballad.

Week 2 Theme:

Learning to love is conceived by a sense of desperation where you are trying to save a special relationship. This process includes being open to change, curious and eager to love your significant other. Instead of limiting your relationship to the physical, growing in love requires studying your partner to build communication intimacy.

Biblical Application:

This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love, 1 John 4:13-18.

Exegesis of I Want to Know What Love Is:

I gotta take a little time
A little time to think things over
I better read between the lines
In case I need it when I’m older

Mick is trying to learn from his previous mistakes in life. Instead of rushing into a new relationship, Mick needs some time to heal, to figure out what went wrong so he avoids making the same mistake in the future.

Aha

This mountain I must climb
Feels like a world upon my shoulders
Through the clouds I see love shine
It keeps me warm as life grows colder

Broken relationship often leads to soul searching, recovering from the pit of despair. This mountain is symbolic of growing up to reach new heights in life. This climb isn’t easy, but if you stick with it, you’ll be rewarded with glimpses of love. The hope of love kept Mick going in life, even when those around him were full of callous and cold hearts.

In my life there’s been heartache and pain
I don’t know if I can face it again
Can’t stop now, I’ve traveled so far
To change this lonely life

Intimate relationships can take an emotional toll on you. Sometimes the pain is so great that you don’t know if you will be able to carry on. Yet if you want to complete your quest for love by escaping loneliness, you must press on.

I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
I wanna feel what love is
I know you can show me

Either Mick is crying out to God in prayer to better understand love or he is entering a new relationship and is open to being taught what love is. Please show me.

Yeah
Gotta take a little time
A little time to look around me
I’ve got nowhere left to hide
It looks like love has finally found me

Mick’s journey for real love is standing in front of him. Instead of being afraid to fall in love, being vulnerable is where love can be conceived.

In my life there’s been heartache and pain
I don’t know if I can face it again
Can’t stop now, I’ve traveled so far
To change this lonely life

Mick appears to come to a point in his life where he is ready to face his fears of having his heart broken again.

I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
I wanna feel what love is
I know you can show me

Although Mick still isn’t sure about love, he is open and teachable.

I wanna know what love is (I wanna know)
I want you to show me (I wanna feel)
And I wanna feel, I want to feel what love is
(I know and I know and I know)
And I know, I know you can show me

This certainty about his new girlfriend is a sign that she has demonstrated love to Mick in the early stages of their relationship.

Let’s talk about love
I wanna know what love is, love that you feel inside
I want you to show me, and I’m feeling so much love
I wanna feel what love is, and you know, you just cannot hide
I know you can show me, yeah

Mick wants to learn what love is so that he can begin living this out.

I wanna know what love is
I know you can show me
I wanna feel, I wanna feel what love is
And I know, you just can’t hide
I know you can show me

Mick is making progress as he is growing in love in this new relationship.

Final Thoughts:

All relationships that I have been in come to a crossroads where effort and time by both parties are necessary. Like Mick, in my younger years, I had no clue what love was which led to their demise. As I grew in my Christian faith in college, I began to see subtle changes as I made Jesus the Lord of my life. Like the words of 1 John 4, when glimpses of the Holy Spirit shine through, you become a vessel of love. Although this search for love should never end, take one day at a time, praying that you become an advocate of love.

by Jay Mankus

The Message Behind the Music-February 7

Inspiration Behind All Out of Love:

A rerecording of Air Supply’s “Lost in Love,” in the United States immediately went to the top of the charts in the late 1970’s. Caught off guard by this instant success, this Australian based band scrambled to write another song which would build upon Lost in Love. Graham Russell took a different approach when it came to All Out of Love, focusing on the anguish of love. Inspiration flowed through Graham, writing All Out of Love in one day at his Sydney apartment on a piano he’d had delivered solely for the purpose of song writing.

Biblical Connection:

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work, 2 Timothy 3:15-17.

Exegesis of All Out of Love:

I’m lying alone with my head on the phone
Thinking of you ’til it hurts
I know you’re hurt too, but what else can we do?
Tormented and torn apart

Before the invention of cell phones and the internet, couples racked up expensive monthly phone bills, trying to keep their long-distance relationship alive. Although this first stanza is unclear, this couple is either separated by hundreds of miles or recently broke up.

I wish I could carry your smile in my heart
For times when my life seems so low
It would make me believe what tomorrow could bring
When today doesn’t really know, doesn’t really know

The future of this couple’s relationship is up in the air. Separated by distance, all they currently have is the memories with one another and talking on the phone.

I’m all out of love, I’m so lost without you
I know you were right believing for so long
I’m all out of love, what am I without you?
I can’t be too late to say that I was so wrong

Either Graham is emotionally exhausted from this long-distance relationship or the love in his heart has grown cold and cynical. Did she break it off or did she convince him that their love could overcome the long distance. Whatever really happened, Graham regrets it.

I want you to come back and carry me home
Away from these long lonely nights
I’m reaching for you, are you feeling it too?
Does the feeling seem, oh, so right?

Graham wants a second chance at love. He can’t let her go as the feeling deep inside of him is only intensifying.

And what would you say if I called on you now
And said that I can’t hold on?
There’s no easy way, it gets harder each day
Please love me, or I’ll be gone, I’ll be gone

The situation within this relationship has become clear. The girlfriend is having second thoughts, leaving Graham on the edge of his seat. Tired of this uncertainty, he just wants to know if it’s over or do you want me back.

I’m all out of love, I’m so lost without you
I know you were right believing for so long
I’m all out of love, what am I without you?
I can’t be too late to say that I was so wrong

Love can be cruel, especially when the person you love is playing mind games with you. This is the exhaustion that Graham is trying to express.

Oh, what are you thinking of?
What are you thinking of?
What are you thinking of?
What are you thinking of?

Let me know so that I start the healing process if we’re through.

I’m all out of love, I’m so lost without you
I know you were right believing for so long
I’m all out of love, what am I without you?
I can’t be too late, I know I was so wrong

This anguish reminds me of attractive Junior High girls who would pretend to like me only to giggle and gossip with their friends at lunch.

I’m all out of love, I’m so lost without you
I know you were right believing for so long
I’m all out of love, what am I without you?
I can’t be too late, I know I was so wrong

An example of when love drives men crazy.

I’m all out of love, I’m so lost without you
I know you were right believing for so long
I’m all out of love, what am I without you?
I can’t be too late to say that I was so wrong

(I’m all out of love, I’m so lost without you)
(I know you were right)

These are cries for help from a broken and wounded heart.

Final Thoughts:

I was always the guy that attractive females in high school and college who would want to become friends with but were never interested in dating. On a couple of occasions, I literally severed all ties with a few girls who wanted to spend time with me, but I couldn’t because like Graham. I wanted more than just a friendship. This is the anguish and pain of love.

by Jay Mankus

The Message Behind the Music-February 2

Exegesis of Love Bites:

The initial plan for Love Bites was designed to be a country ballad. Def Leppard took what was presented by their producer and added elements of rock mixed with rhythm and blues. The lyrics explore a fear of falling in love. Perhaps, band members were thinking about a good friend who they had thoughts of becoming emotionally involved with but didn’t want to ruin what they already had.

Biblical Connection:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

Exegesis of Love Bites:

If you’ve got love in your sights
Watch out, love bites

The expression love bites can be explained by co-authors Chester and Betsy Kylstra in their book Restoring the Foundations. Chester refers to emotional wounds to your heart as soul ties. This encapsulates any brokenness, depression and pain from a previous relationship. This is the warning for anyone thinking about falling in love.

When you make love, do you look in your mirror?
Who do you think of, does he look like me?
Do you tell lies and say that it’s forever?
Do you think twice or just touch and see?

Who are you thinking about when you have sex? Are you stuck in the past, using your current relationships as some sort of an emotional rebound? Or have you moved on, focused on the present person in your life? The final 2 lines point to pain from the past, empty promises of love that were never fulfilled. The second warning about love is think before you act.

Ooh, babe
Oh, yeah

When you’re alone, do you let go?
Are you wild and willin’ or is it just for show?
Ooh, come on

The man behind the lyrics wants to know if his current relationship is more than just sex.

I don’t want to touch you too much, baby
‘Cause makin’ love to you might drive me crazy
I know you think that love is the way you make it
So I don’t wanna be there when you decide to break it, no

There is a fear of getting their heart broken again. Subsequently, it would be better to remain friends rather than having sex as this act changes everything as well as expectations.

Love bites, love bleeds
It’s bringin’ me to my knees

From the bands learned experiences in life, love has been more painful than pleasant. These past relationships have scarred members of the band, becoming hesitant about jumping into future relationships. This is why in their opinion love bites.

Final Thoughts:

Failed relationships have taken a toll on me over the first 20 years of my life. One led to a nervous breakdown, others left a trail of heart break and one in college left me scarred for several years. Yet, when God is the center of your relationship, love can be beautiful. Despite the positives of love, it still requires work like the words of the apostle Paul, learning to love others like Jesus taught.

by Jay Mankus

The Message Behind the Music-January 11

Inspiration Behind Go:

The lyrics of Go express self-discovery during times of uncertainty in life. As this world is constantly changing, sometimes human beings need to be nudged in the form of a call to action to avoid feelings of regret. Meanwhile, Go addresses the topics of being caught in between a series of emotions. Instead of giving into apathy and procrastination, the writer wants listeners to make a decision by stop wasting precious time.

Biblical Application:

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder, James 2:17-19.

Exegesis of Go:

Dig for victory, go for gold
I don’t wanna die before I get old
And I wonder where I’m going to
There’s some way out, there’s some way through

Seize the moments that you have while you are young. If you chase after your dreams now, you won’t have any regrets when you are older.

But I’m lost, I’m lost, I’m down again
My direction is changing, which way
Which way can I go?

Failure has a way of derailing hopes for greatness in life. If you decide to quit or stop pursuing a goal in life, uncertainty will consume your soul.

Get up and go

Stop wasting time. Make a decision and move on.

You start me up, you slow me down
No one can deny, you get around
When you’re hot, you’re cold, you’re in between
Keep asking myself, what does it mean?

This stanza addresses distractions in life. Whether this is a relationship that is on again and off again or words of discouragement, this is what you should expect if you want to succeed.

And I walk that tightrope, you should know
I’m losing my balance, maybe
Maybe I should go

Don’t hang on to your past. Make up your mind so you can press on with your future.

Get up and go
Just go
Get up and go

Stop hesitating and just go to pursue your next phase in life.

Face to face in sympathy
But now you turn your back on me
Turn a card and win, but you may lose
Fate only has that right to choose

Life isn’t fair. Some people are lucky, others get good breaks. The average and less gifted have to work harder than anyone else to reach their desired destination.

If you’re right, leave me here, I’ll die alone
You’ve got the time, you’ve just got time
You’ve got the time, just go

You’ll never know an outcome until you try. Don’t be afraid of failure. Face your fears and go.

Get up and go
Just go

Another call for action.

Get up and go
Just go
Just go
Get up and go

As Nike once said, “Just do it!”

Final Thoughts:

Asia was one of my favorite bands in Junior High School. Despite entering high school at 5 feet tall and 100 pounds soaking wet, I never let this interfere with chasing my dreams as an athletic. Although I didn’t reach all of my goals, I kept working to reach new heights. Go was an inspirational song that kept me improving as an athletic and now as a person.

by Jay Mankus

Engaging Our Culture: October 9-Misunderstandings about Love

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1994 movie “Forrest Gump”

Bible Verse of the Day:

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! “- Matthew 18:6-7

Biblical Connection:

Forrest Gump is considered a cult classic from the 1990’s. Yet, the most horrifying aspect of this film is that Jenny was sexually abused as a child. Even as an adult, Jenny still has not recovered from her virginity lost and stolen as a child. When Forrest finds Jenny working at a strip club, he tries to save her from this decision. Unfortunately, Jenny is the one who doesn’t understand love.

According to a recent statistic, 63,000 children were sexually abused in 2024. Since many keep this to themselves, the numbers are likely much higher. Either way, a child is sexually abused every 74 seconds in the United States. When Jesus touches on this subject in the first century, modern statistics highlight how life altering it is when an adult causes harm to a child like Jenny.

Closing Song:

May today’s blog help you to see the real horror occurring to children across the United States and throughout the world. May you become a catalyst for healing this October, assisting and leading others to professional help. The real-life Jenny’s need support to clear up their misunderstandings about love.

by Jay Mankus

Engaging Our Culture: January 30-Standing Up to Bullies

Video of the Day: Scene from the 2005 film “The Pacifier”

Bible Verse of the Day:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms, Ephesians 6:12.

Biblical Connection:

 After recovering from a failed rescue operation, Navy SEAL Shane Wolfe played by Vin Deisel is handed a new assignment. Unlike any other detail, Deisel is tasked with protecting the five Plummer kids from enemies of their recently deceased father. With Mrs. Plummer overseas helping with the investigation of her husband’s death, Deisel is faced with taking care of an infant, 2 children and 2 teenagers. When Seth Pummer played by Max Theiriot is bullied by his wrestling coach, Deisel’s intervention turns into an afterschool wrestling match.

The apostle Paul points out a key fact about all bullies. Although certain types of people will rub you the wrong way, there are spiritual forces going on behind the scenes which prompt bullies to act out. Meanwhile, bullies often have a back story, something that triggered this type of behavior within them. Therefore, the next time you encounter a bully, you might want to pull them off to the side and start asking probing questions. If there aren’t willing to listen, wait for another moment as you pray for them. The more you see people through the realm of Ephesians 6:12, you’ll begin to understand why bullies act the way that they do.

Closing Song:

Don’t allow bullies of your past to continue to push you around. Rather, put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the Devil’s schemes.

by Jay Mankus

Getting Your Emotions Under Control

One of Israel’s former kings describes time in the context of seasons. Just as Christmas is associated with winter in the northern hemisphere, every month brings with it a series of emotions. In Ecclesiastes 3:4, King Solomon follows sorrow with laughter. Since nobody knows what tomorrow will bring, James 4:13-14, you have to be ready to keep your emotions under control at all times.

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition ([b]definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God, Philippians 4:6.

In a letter to the Church at Philippi, the apostle Paul touches on mental health. Apparently, members of this church with dealing with a growing amount of anxiety. Rather than try to handle this on your own, Paul encourages Christians to actively pray for the circumstances that are bringing you stress. Instead of becoming overwhelmed by emotions, be thankful for any little victory that you experience daily.

And God’s peace [shall be yours, that [c]tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall [d]garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, Philippians 4:7.

When you create a list of things that challenge your mental health, include these petitions as a daily part of your prayer life. Building on the words of Luke 1:37, the apostle Paul suggests that God has the ability to give you the strength to endure any situation that you face, Philippians 4:13. If you search for the peace of Christ, this tranquil state will enable any believer to get and keep your emotions under control.

by Jay Mankus

Supreme Expression

Pixar’s 2015 Inside Out follows a girl named Riley from her birth. Rather than express Riley’s life in a typical manner, emotions inside of her like joy, sadness, anger and fear steer the way. This creative twist of events provides a unique perspective of what goes inside the mind of a child. If only a spiritual element was added to this film, supreme expression could be realized.

You see that [his] faith was cooperating with his works, and [his] faith was completed and reached its supreme expression [when he implemented it] by [good] works, James 1:22.

Expression is the process of making known one’s thoughts or feelings. Whether this is communicated through an articulation, declaration or proclamation, words begin to express what’s going on deep inside of you. According to Jesus’ earthly brother, when faith, good works and words are implemented properly, you reach what the Bible refers to as supreme expression.

You see that a man is justified (pronounced righteous before God) through what he does and not alone through faith [through works of obedience as well as by what he believes], James 1:24.

Yet, what if you are extremely shy? Or like me, born with a severe speech impediment. What do you do to experience supreme expression? This is the dilemma faced by a man from Decapolis. According to Mark 7:32-35, Jesus said, “Ephphatha” which is a prayer to open and loosen your tongue. When you add belief to this prayer, Matthew 21:21-22, supreme expression is possible to achieve through Christ who gives us strength, Philippians 4:13.

by Jay Mankus

The Balance Between Trusting Medication and God for Mental Health

A 2018 article in Psychology Today addresses “The Voice Inside Your Head.” Author and Doctor Steve Taylor talks about his own personal experience as a teenager. This voice, whisper or thought does have a series of explanations. One could be your conscience designed by God to regulate and steer your body toward doing what’s right. The whisper could be advice imparted to you as a child or inner demons that attempt to drag you down. Meanwhile, thoughts can be the contemplation process in action, weighing the pros and cons. Yet, what is the balance between trusting medication and trusting God for your mental health?

But for [a]Cain and his offering He had no respect or regard. So Cain was exceedingly angry and indignant, and he looked sad and depressed. And the Lord said to Cain, Why are you angry? And why do you look sad and depressed and dejected? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin crouches at your door; its desire is for you, but you must master it, Genesis 4:5-7.

The passage above unveils the conversion that many struggling believers have with God. When things don’t go your way, you may become envious or jealous of that person you know who seems so blessed by God. This was the dilemma facing Cain as his younger brother had become a successful shepherd. Meanwhile, Cain was working his ass off as a farmer, but to no avail. As Cain became depressed about his lack of success in life, a root of bitterness began to take hold of Cain’s heart. Concerned by what Cain was thinking, God sought to intervene, Unfortunately, it was too late as Cain had already made up his mind, James 1:14-15. There was no medicine available at this time to alter Cain’s mental state.

And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and [h][especially wicked] sinners came and sat (reclined) with Him and His disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, Why does your Master eat with tax collectors and those [preeminently] sinful? 12 But when Jesus heard it, He replied, Those who are strong and well (healthy) have no need of a physician, but those who are weak and sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy [that is, [i]readiness to help those in trouble] and not sacrifice and sacrificial victims. For I came not to call and invite [to repentance] the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God), but sinners (the erring ones and all those not free from sin), Matthew 9:10-13.

Following a meal with religious leaders, Jesus began to open up about the balance between trusting medicine and God for your own mental health. Jesus makes a clear distinction between the sick and healthy. The spiritually mature tend to be able to manage whatever conditions arise, learning how to take care of themselves. Meanwhile, it’s the sick who need the help of a doctor. Whether you’re talking about addictions, bad habits or internal cravings, medical physicians will prescribe what needs to happen before a full recovery can be made. Sometimes this condition requires drugs and other circumstances call for discipline. The ultimate goal is to find that ideal balance between trusting God and medicine.

by Jay Mankus

Strength for the Struggle from Within

Mental Health isn’t mentioned directly in Paul’s letters to the Church at Corinth. Yet, beneath the surface, two chapters a part, there are signs of a struggle from within. While writing to a city known for their philosophers, Paul suggests that there is an invisible solution to overcome the mind games that human brains play on fragile psyches. Paul claims that spiritual weapons are the best way to find strength from the struggles within your soul.

For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.

Human beings are good at fighting someone or something that they can see. Yet, when flesh and blood become vessels of the Devil to claw, dig and gnaw at you, many fight a losing battle day after day. Meanwhile, demonic strongholds often expand, causing friction and unusual occurrences that can wear down your soul, Ephesians 6:12. If you try to fight this battle alone, oppressive spirits and powers of darkness have the ability to defeat any strong Christian.

But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and [b]show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may [c]pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! 10 So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [[d]in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful [e]in divine strength), 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

This may explain the apostle Paul’s words in the passage above. The context of this verse begins with Paul opening up about a mysterious illness. It’s unclear if Paul was afflicted with a physical or spiritual condition, but he shares this low point in his life. The lesson learned through this ordeal is that the weaker human beings become, the potential for Jesus to be stronger increases. Perhaps, if you get out of the way, Jesus will give you the strength to conquer any struggle from within your heart and soul.

by Jay Mankus