Jimmy Eat World -- "Pain"

"Pain" Lyrics:

Anyone can make what I have built
And better now...
Anyone can find the same white pills,
It takes my pain away

[Chorus]
It's a lie, a kiss with open eyes
She's not breathing back
Anything but bother me
It takes my pain away
Nevermind these are hurried times
Oh oh oh
I can't let it bother me

I never thought I'd walk away from you
I did
But it's a false sense of accomplishment
Every time I quit

Anyone can see my every flaw
It isn't hard
Anyone can say they're above this all
It takes my pain away

This song reminds me of some perverted advise I have heard over the years:

--Numb yourself to present circumstances whenever and however this might be convenient for you.
--Take care of yourself first.
--Alter your mind by any available means; this is an acceptable alternative to improving your actual character.
--You're really having a good time when you're so sloshed that you're barely conscious.
--Like yourself first; everything else is second.

***

Lauryn Hill said to her audience at her MTV Unplugged concert, "Fantasy is what people want, but reality is what they need." When I hear this, at first I feel indignant that anyone would threaten my right to embrace whatever fantasy I want for myself. I wouldn't admit out loud that I love fantasy, of course... I would object with some kind of self-serving statement, such as "Who are you to say what reality is?"

It is difficult to acknowledge reality; that's why we would rather embrace distraction or anything that gives us an escape.

So what's the difference? What's the benefit in dealing with inconvenient truth? (thank you, Al Gore)

Dealing with reality is necessary for us to grow up, for one thing.

Even better, the more we obey Jesus Christ, the more He will chip away at the foundations of deception upon which we have built our lives. The more we tear out and destroy the lies that have crept into our minds and hearts, the freer we will be to know and fellowship with God. This kind of freedom has to be grown into through years of trial and hardship, but this is infinitely better than willful, childish self-deception.

To quote Lauryn Hill again, here is a snippet from her song, "Selah" (from The Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood soundtrack)

How beautiful, this fruit
Still in denial of it's roots
My guilty heart behaved so foolishly
This treason from within
That reasons with my sin
Won't be happy 'til it sees the death of me
Selfishly addicted
To a life that I depicted
Conflicted 'cause it's not reality
Oh, what's left of me
I beg you desperately,
Cause me to agree
With what I know is best for me
Please save me from myself
I need You to save me from myself
Please save me from myself
so I can heal.


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