Tag Archives: Overcoming depression

Estranged

Posted on March 28, 2017 by expressyourself4him

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26J0uDIGErM

The term estranged is usually found in the context of a broken marriage or a relationship beyond repair.  When you feel alienated, disconnected or severed from someone, estrangement is likely already underway.  This unfortunate state can result in depression, loneliness and sorrow.  However, you can also be estranged from God.

“He has alienated my family from me; my acquaintances are completely estranged from me,” Job 19:13.

While the Creator of heaven and earth is invisible, subtle reminders exist in the form of a sunrise, picturesque day or the sounds of nature.  Enduring hardship, the stress of life and unforeseen trials usually distract individuals from the Lord’s presence.  Meanwhile, as bad things begin to happen to good people, God is usually the first to blame.  Without any clarity, meaning or insight, estrangement from God often continues.

They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart, Ephesians 4:18.

According to the apostle Paul, the process of becoming estranged can be self inflicted.  People bitter from the hand they have been dealt, ignorant of God’s nature and set in their ways develop harden hearts.  This stubbornness leads to break ups, divorce and splitting close ties with people you once cared about.  If you find yourself somewhere within the estranged process, may the power of the Holy Spirit ease your pain by reuniting you with the people you love.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Where Do You Go From Here?

Posted on July 22, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Everyone will hit that proverbial bump in the road at some point in life.  This moment of inconvenience could be a quick pit stop, a rough stretch or turn into a dead end.  If the latter is you, its hard to start over, especially if you’re not sure where to go from here.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me, Philippians 3:12.

Upon receiving the news of my most recent rejection from Hollywood, fourth in five years, I’m starting to have second thoughts on my writing career.  Part of me truly believed my latest script Dragged Behind the Devil’ s Door would be a box office hit, but now that reality is setting in I wonder if I’m on the right track or simply chasing some improbable fantasy.

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, Philippians 3:13.

Perhaps the apostle Paul went through a similar phase during his first century mission trips throughout the Middle East.  Instead of seeing progress, Paul experienced failure, persecution and suffering.  While writing a letter to one of his favorite churches, Paul had a vision that gave him direction for the last portion of his life.  May the words above serve as a message of hope to those ready to give up, quit or abandon your calling.  Although I’m not sure what role writing will play in the next stage of my life, I need to forget past disappointments by straining toward what is ahead, eternal life with Christ my Lord.

by Jay Mankus

 

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A Wall of Remembrance

Posted on January 3, 2016 by expressyourself4him

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c79cV5yBhQU

The American rock band the Cars once sang, Let the Good Times Roll.  Debuting in 1978 as a single, Good Times Roll is synonymous with joyous occasions in life.  While these moments may not happen that often, those who experience a season of blessings don’t want it to end.  Unfortunately, when the tides change in the form of disappointment, hardships and trials, its important to create a wall of remembrance.

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing, 1 Thessalonians 5:11.

In the 2015 film War Room, Miss Clara uses this concept to remind her of all the prayers the Lord has answered.  Whenever discouragement tried to steal her joy in life, Miss Clara found comfort and encouragement from God’s previous faithfulness.  These reflections from your past serve as a point of reference.  Therefore, whenever the good times disappear, dates, letters and pictures of transformed individuals can keep hope alive.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him, James 1:12.

During the first mission trips I ever served on, I was introduced to the concept of care cards.  Team members were encouraged to write notes to anyone who said something or did something that was noteworthy over the course of each day.  These cards were placed into individual mail boxes that were only accessible on your trip home.  When I became a youth pastor, I implemented this on two service projects that I oversaw.  When depression caused me to lose faith, I started my own wall of remembrance in my bedroom.  While 2016 is still in its infancy, perhaps its time to start your own wall to remind you of God’s goodness.

by Jay Mankus

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Blinded for a Time

Posted on December 12, 2015 by expressyourself4him

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXFBggMSgo8

In the 1988 action film Bloodsport, Jean-Claude Van Damme plays a martial arts expert Frank Dux.  The name is derived from a famous competition known as the Kumite.  During the championship match, the defending champion who killed on of his opponents in a preliminary match, throws a foreign substance into Dux’s eyes.  Blinded for a short time, Frank panics before relying on his training which carries him onto victory.

Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus, Acts 9:8.

The saying “you don’t know what you have until its gone” can be applied to several aspects in life.  A soldier who relies on his strength may loose a limb or limbs in battle.  Individuals may take forgranted a special relationship until death takes this person away prematurely.  Meanwhile, a career or home can be ruined in a blink of an eye.  Regardless of who you are or where you live, sooner or later you will be blindsided by a trial.  How you respond will determine the path you take in life.

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials, 1 Peter 1:6.

Looking back over the last 5 years of my life, I was forced to fight through adversity.  Through some of the ups and downs, there were times I felt God turned his back on me.  Yet, as I was blinded for a time, I learned that God never moved.  Rather, I allowed bitterness, frustration and regret lead me to drift away into period of depression.  However, like Jean-Claude Van Damme in the end of Bloodsport, my previous training in the Bible is helping me return to a victorious life in Christ.

by Jay Mankus

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Words of Healing

Posted on October 26, 2014 by expressyourself4him

When someone is down in the dumps, its hard to break through the shell holding in their misery.  Good intentions, kind words and loving attempts don’t always work to uplift downcast spirits.  Nonetheless, when all else fails, there is one source that provides words of healing, Psalm 107:20.

Growing up, I often experienced a wide range of emotions.  On the good days, I could lift others up, elevating their moods to my level.  Meanwhile, if depressed, I made sure no one had a smile on their face, bringing whoever I could down into my pit of despair.  Only a couple friends developed a few tricks to snap me out of these gloomy states.

Today, I have learned to become more self-reliant.  Not in my own abilities.  Rather, I trust in the power of God’s Word to infuse my soul with the strength to carry on, Isaiah 40:31.   Therefore, if you’re having a bad day, feeling hopeless or stuck in a rut, open up the Bible today to find words of healing, Matthew 11:28-30.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

 

 

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It Started With a Girl

Posted on August 30, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Movie cinemas introduce the masses to memorable scenes.  Once available to viewers On Demand, DVD or through reruns on television, classic lines become part of daily conversations.  Whether its Good Will Hunting’s “How about them apples,” Titanic’s “I’m king of the world” or Remember the Titans “If we don’t come together now as a team, we too will be destroyed,” art often imitates life.  As for me, it started with a girl.

My sophomore year of high school was a turning point for me.  Too worried about pleasing others, my offer to attend a homecoming dance with a girl on the cross country was rejected.  To make matters worse, she ended up going with one of my teammates.  The final straw and knife in the back was when I noticed each of them locking lips on the dance floor.  This week of agony led me to a severe state of depression.  Although, it started with a girl, this trial ended with a faith in Christ, Romans 10:9-10.

From my perspective, God does work in mysterious ways.  In fact, my attraction to church, also started with a girl, who became my high school sweetheart.  My parents didn’t have to force me to attend a local youth group.  Rather, as soon as several attractive girls began to go, my friends and I followed.  In life, you never know what or who the Lord will use to steer you toward His will.  Although it started with a girl for me, God will do what it takes to lead his children back to the fold, John 10:1-6.

by Jay Mankus

 

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A Prayer for Significance

Posted on June 14, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Unless you are feeling depressed, no one wants to live a meaningless life, void of any worth or value.  Something within the human soul cries out for purpose in life, hoping to make a difference in this world.  Deep inside the longest chapter of the Bible, lies a prayer for significance, Psalm 119:36-37.

This prayer begins with the heart, shifting one’s attention toward the statues written in the Bible.  Following this call, one must crucify their selfish desires and passions as the apostle Paul suggests in Galatians 5:24.  Once these habits, patterns and ways are purged from one’s mind, a new person can emerge.

The second portion of this prayer focuses on replacing the old with an entirely new perspective.  Like an addict starting over from scratch, individuals must learn what it means to invest your time in worthwhile activities.  As eyes and ears start to grasp the truths of Scripture, Psalm 119:9-11, this journey commences.  Within a Romans 12:1-2 attitude, the words of the Bible can preserve your steps, leading you to significance!

by Jay Mankus

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Inside the Cave of Despair

Posted on January 16, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Sometimes in life, you feel as if you are watching a rerun of a bad movie, except I am living this one and there’s isn’t a remote to change the channel.  Somewhere along the way, on the road named Technology, I made a wrong turn, wandering aimlessly for hours.  Now, I have run out of gas, left stranded near the cave of despair, waiting for a good Samaritan to come to my aide.

In 1 Samuel 22:1, David is fleeing for his life, escaping to a cave to hide out until the threat subsides.  The mood inside is somber, filled with anguish, misery and pain.  This dark hole is my current residence, located on Misfortune Circle.  The meandering caverns quickly elude sunlight, preventing others from seeing the affliction deep inside my soul.

While David had 400 people who came to comfort him, my heart has hidden the pain of unemployment from others.  Like a disease slowly working its way through your blood stream, joblessness has sucked any joy out of me.  Isaiah 40:28-31 has an entirely different meaning for me today.  Like the movie above, I am that tired and weary individual.  As I continue to stumble and fall inside the cave of despair, I am waiting on the Lord for hope and strength to lift me out.  Now, would be convenient!

by an Eagle waiting on new wings

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Turning Depression Into Inspiration

Posted on December 10, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Depression is not an isolated feeling, often brought on by broken promises, failed expectations or shattered dreams.  The byproducts of depression can affect your soul as despair, hopelessness and misery hover over your life like a stationary weather system.  As dejection lingers, this decline in your mood can lead to “a woe is me, nobody loves me; everybody hates me attitude.”  The past few weeks have been extremely difficult for me, causing me to regress socially, slumping into a state of gloominess.  In this saddened mindset, the Lord gave me a glimpse of sunshine with a thought, turn your depression into inspiration.

The outline for this in found in Psalm 32.  David had just been rebuked by the prophet Nathan in 2 Samuel 12:1-10, forced to come clean about committing adultery and second degree murder.  David’s depression is indirectly referenced in Psalm 32:3-4, draining the energy out of him.  Guilt, regret and spiritual conviction ate away at David’s heart until he was honest with God about what he had done.  James 5:16 further illustrates the healing power of publicly confessing your sin.  After releasing his feelings at the altar of the Lord, David’s expression suddenly changes from himself to others, then to God’s deliverance.  Finally, David’s depression was transformed into inspiration in Psalm 32:11.  “Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart.”

Those that know me in a social setting understand that I am a realist.  When I sin, the last thing I think about is rejoicing in the Lord.  However, despite of all of David’s own flaws, his heart was in the right place, 1 Samuel 16:7.  Thus, in my weakened state, I must remember the apostle Paul’s prayer in 2 Corinthians 12:9-12.  When you surrender the reigns of your life and let God take control, it is through Christ’s power that turns depression into inspiration to achieve the abundant life, John 10:10.

by Jay Mankus

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