Pass The Aspirin, Please!
I have messed around with migraines for too many years of my life. I've done rounds of medication, the tyramine connection, increased my water and decreased my caffeine, added the mineral supplements, and jumped on (and fallen off) the anti-gluten bandwagon.
All to no avail. So, I think I’ve finally figured it out — Not enough donuts.
Especially the custard-filled ones. I broke down and ate one at work the other day, and all kinds of chemical smiley faces flooded my brain. Every bite was pastry heaven. It may have just added to the cellulite, but ahh... My taste buds couldn’t care less!Not that I haven’t been thankful for the medication, old standby’s and newer ones. Nor can I say that I’ve found a root cause for this malady; there are so many potential triggers, many of them elusive, some out of my control. So when I wake up at 3AM with the tell-tale signs, denying it doesn’t make it go away. In fact, when it comes to true medical migraines, the medication works more effectively the sooner it’s taken. Might as well prevent the other symptoms from coming on full force.
Temptation -- the "aura"
Temptation seems to follow a similar pattern. Unfortunately, while only a select few of us have the dubiously honored title of “migraineur”, all of us, bar none, have an old sin nature that, though dealt with at the Cross, still tries to resurrect itself occasionally.Which is temptation’s job. And just like migraines, temptation has its triggers. Some are pretty general and easy to identify, common to many. Others are specific to the individual, and can be hidden, unidentifiable, and buried deep within, (“why did I respond that way…again??”).
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That does not, however, excuse me from being continually vigilant in trying to discern what my temptation triggers may be. To help me with that very thing, I have a Counselor Who's quite good at revealing them to me if I'm willing to pay attention.Thankfully, the Holy Spirit does more than merely identify the potential triggers:
"The temptation in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." - 1 Corinthians 10:13
Sin -- such a headache!
If the temptation progresses into full blown sin, there’s no use denying it. It can even be appealing to find a “spiritual doughnut” in an attempt to assuage my guilt. However, like a migraine, unless I accept God’s true medication, it’ll only get worse—for myself, and those around me. And the sooner, the better! (Ever been around somebody with a full blown migraine, or unconfessed sin?)
"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." - 1 John 1:9
Like migraines, temptation and sin can be debilitating, scary, and frustrating. Thankfully, nothing—absolutely nothing—is wasted in God’s economy, even our past mistakes. And while a migraine might take me out of play for awhile, I don’t have to allow temptation and sin do likewise. Effective treatment for everyone has been made available.