A number of years ago, I had a bizarre episode with a headache that came on suddenly. It would intensify to a 10 pain level within seconds. At first, it would go away after a few minutes but this went on for a couple of weeks and the pain stayed longer and longer each time until I was completely incapacitated.
The timing of these headaches was the worst it could be as it started the week before our teacher orientation days began and continued into the first week of school. This headache didn't have the same symptoms as a migraine so it was hard to find a treatment that worked. During those two weeks, I saw an urgent care doctor, a chiropractor, a massage therapist, my PCP, an ER doctor, a spine specialist and a headache specialist. I had a CT scan, 2 MRIs, a Botox injection in my neck, and a lumbar puncture. I tried six new medications and...
I tried to pray.
I couldn't focus or concentrate so my prayers were pretty lame. Fortunately, I had others who were praying for me at school, church and my family.
But God was not answering. And it was frustrating. Didn't He know that I was responsible for getting all these teachers and students off to a good start at school? I had a job to do...an important one I believed.
Ironically, I had started a new Bible study around this time about discerning the voice of God. Ironic because God was being extremely quiet. Hearing His voice seemed impossible. This Bible study sent me to the book of Habakkuk. Who reads Habakkuk? Once I finally located it in the Bible, the very first verse caught my attention.
"How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?" (Hab 1:2a)
I might not have said those exact words but they were pretty close to what I was thinking. I had to look around for context and discovered that Habakkuk was complaining about the unchecked evil that was being allowed to go on around him.
Reading on..."Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds." (Hab 1:3)
There's a lot going on in the world right now that seems to be paralleling what Habakkuk was complaining about. That's why this episode in my life story caught my attention. Not because I need to complain but because of God's answer.
"Look at the nations and watch--and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." (Hab. 1:5)
"For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay." (Hab 2:3)
Watch and wait.
He may be silent but He is always working. And though it may not be obvious to us, He promises we'll be amazed.
And just because you may be curious, the headaches mysteriously disappeared as mysteriously as they appeared after a group of my church girlfriends laid their hands on me and prayed.
Amazing, right?
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