By Liz Jackson
I have lived with debilitating migraine headaches during my entire adult life (more than 40 years), having had as many as 3 in a week’s time. I was diagnosed in 1988 and have been treated for migraines by numerous neurologists since then.
I was admitted to a headache clinic in 1993 where I was taught to recognize ‘m…….. triggers’, (I don’t even like to say the word!) such as bright lights, foods to avoid, anything scented, and barometric pressure changes. I was taught to spot ‘triggers’ on nutritional labels and practiced biofeedback.
Coming home from a week in the clinic, I was full of hope and a handful of prescriptions. Medications for preventing headaches, aborting headaches (injections) and depression were all an important part of my life from that time on.
Unscented products (hair spray, deodorant, detergent, etc.) were becoming available on the market — ‘triggers’ I could avoid –- at home! Being in the presence of anyone wearing a strong fragrance sent me home, to bed, in a dark room with a blindfold. Consequently, I began to stay away from meetings, carpooling, elevators, and crowded sanctuaries (people!). I missed out on so many important events with my family.
Air conditioner vents blowing cold air on my head caused me to dread the spring and summer seasons. Now, that’s depressing!
At some point, I was given the scripture, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) Although, I did trust the LORD with my ‘m………’ problems, I later learned that I had not trusted Him with “all my heart”. I discovered that I was holding on to pain in relationships with friends and family that I had ‘discarded’ long ago.
On July 12, at our regular Wednesday Intercessory Prayer meeting, the group leader, Virginia Buckholtz, prayed a beautiful healing prayer for one of our intercessors. I was touched by that and told Virginia that I wanted to be next. For some reason, she thought I was kidding and said, “We’ll pray for you later.” Knowing that she is truly a Godly woman and a very dear friend to me, I thought she was kidding!
On July 19, I decided to be persistent and ask the group, again, to pray for my healing – freedom from ‘m…….’. I was taken seriously, and prayed for on that day. I guess the enemy wanted one more shot at me, because I had a ‘m……’ with a vengeance later in the week.
Our church, Living Way United Methodist Church, invited a regional director of the International Order of St. Luke to visit us July 29 & 30. The Rev. Dr. Jack Sheffield came that weekend to charter our chapter of OSL and to induct the Rev. Bill Posey as chaplain along with 15 associate members from LWUMC.
Rev. Sheffield spoke at our worship service on Sunday about healing of the body, mind and soul and asked if anyone needed healing prayer. I suddenly realized that physical triggers were not the ultimate cause of my ‘m……’. I was the first person to go forward. A person sitting near the altar told me, that my face was aglow!
I have been headache-free ever since! People tell me they see a new joy in my heart. I feel better than I have ever felt and I’m a very happy child of God. I no longer must cancel plans because of ‘m……..’, I can plan ahead with confidence that I will be able to fulfill commitments, and I take NO medications for MIGRAINES! When asked what I’ve changed to cause my headaches to stop, I reply, “Absolutely nothing medically, I’ve been healed, Praise God!”
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)