June 6-12 is National Headache Awareness Week as recognized by the National Headache Foundation. The page at the link I’ve provided has some excellent educational material on the topic. I certainly have not seen such complete medical documentation and reference material on headaches.
I imagine many of us have had a debilitating form of migraine headache over the years. I can remember when I was under some chronic and severe stress years ago and how I suffered from frequent cluster headaches. They were a pain! Among the materials provided on the above site is a guide to preventing and alleviating the pain associated with migraines. Many prevention methods are mentioned.
They report that the most common type of headache is a tension headache. Tension headaches are due to tight muscles in your shoulders, neck, scalp and jaw. They are often related to stress, depression or anxiety. Therapies to reduce stress that they mention are biofeedback, progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, deep breathing and creative visualization. At the end of the paragraph they say “techniques discussed use the mind’s own power to change the central nervous system in a manner that can stop a migraine attack before it progresses to the pain phase.” I find it interesting that the National Headache Foundation uses the term “alternative” treatments in describing these prevention and treatment techniques.
Sadly, there’s no mention of God’s primary therapy for the prevention of headaches. Do not worry. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus outlines his teaching on worry. He reminds us that God will provide for our most basic needs. Jesus further instructs us to make the Kingdom of God and his righteousness our primary concern.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5
It’s our nature to worry about the things of life, but God reminds us in his guidelines for living, the Bible, to give our worries to him. To trust him fully. When we are able to do that we are able to give him our cares and concerns and trust that he is in control of our circumstances. This certainly seems to be the very best prevention method for headaches.
Questions About Stress and Worries to Reflect On
What do you frequently worry or have anxiety about?
When was the last time you quietly and expectantly asked God to take care of that issue?
How are you seeking God’s Kingdom on a regular basis?
Resources on Stress
Article – Manage Your Stress With God’s Help
Slide Show – Stressed? See How God Can Help
Miriam says
June 17, 2010 at 12:13 PMTrusting God is the antidote to worry. It removes the pressure from our lives because after we have done all that we can, we should just entrust the whole situation to God. That is a very liberating feeling and it enables one to live in a stressful situation without getting stressed. For more Biblical Principles of managing stress read Managing Stress with the Word of God.
Chris says
July 31, 2018 at 10:57 PMI’ve had migraines since I was a teenager. They worsened after I got a bad concussion in a motorcycle accident that paralyzed my husband. They became so frequent and terrible, and I tried everything I could think of to avoid them! I ate a very simple diet, avoided traveling and stressful situations. I tried to gut through headaches with only half an Excedrin, or no more than one a day, but found I was taking part of an Excedrin most days, and if I didn’t have a headache, lived in dread of the next one! God spoke to my heart loud and clear that I was not trusting Him. He asked me to open the door of faith even just a tiny crack and His light would flood in. I had not felt I should ask for relief because I didn’t feel I deserved it. But when I laid it at it feet on my knees at the end of my bed, the migraine I had immediately left and has not returned. I was instantly filled with so much peace and joy. I had made the mercy of God a small thing, when in reality, His grace and compassion are greater than we could ever fathom! Thanks, God!!!!
Landiwe says
October 11, 2018 at 7:50 AMFather, in the name of Jesus, I greet all saints in the mighty name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen. My partner has been experiencing for the past two days headaches and the Bible encourages us to pray and not worry, especially after laying of hands, fasting and having done all, we stand and continue standing on the word of God. THANK YOU FOR SHARING AND I’M GREATFUL TO HAVE SAME MINDED BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO WILL CONTINUE TO STAND IN AGREEMENT WITH ME EVEN WHEN MY HUSBAND(BY FAITH)IS EXPEIRINCING HEADACHES, I AM SURE FROM WORRYING ABOUT OUR FUTURE, ETC. Yours in Faith: C. Mabaso & J. Mosinki – (please pray with us for our marriage to take place this year). AMEN & AMEN.