Last spring I had headaches - they were there when I woke up, backed away like wild animals from fire when pain meds kicked in, but then came charging back with teeth bared when the meds wore off. They were there for days and days - I can't remember how long now - but they were bad enough that I took my aching head to the doctor...wanting him to make the pain go away...wanting him to say it was something simple...afraid that it wouldn't be.
He sent me for an MRI. I was relieved; I was scared. Relieved that if it was something serious, we would know and it could be treated. Scared that it would be something serious.
Despite telling myself not to worry, it was hard for me to believe the MRI would find nothing - I'm a worst-case scenario kind of person.
But I was lucky...the MRI tested negative. My headaches eventually went away. They were just caused by a shingles - an annoying and painful virus, but nothing life-threatening.
My friend Joel had headaches - I believe much worse headaches than mine. Like me, he went to the doctor. Like me, he was sent for an MRI. Like me, I bet those same fears and thoughts that I had were running through his mind. He was probably telling himself he was being silly to worry - it was probably nothing.
But it was something. And his headaches haven't gone away. Today he sees a neurosurgeon.
Please join me in praying for Joel...praying that his headaches - and the reason for his headaches - will soon be a distant memory for him as mine are for me. Join me in praying that he heals and is healthy for many, many years to come.
