Headaches and Their Cure
Undoubtedly, few readers have never experienced a headache. But rest assured, you are in the minority! Whether caused by a bump on the head, something you ate, a sinus infection, or a neurological issue, headaches are no fun and can be quite disabling. Some people suffer from headaches because their eyes are light-sensitive. They need dark, quiet rooms to ease the pounding pressure in their heads and often require strong medication for relief. Most of us who get headaches can take a couple of pain relievers, rest for about an hour, and the pain usually subsides. Unfortunately, some suffer for days and become very ill before finding relief from the pain.
But let’s think of another type of “headache,” one of a spiritual nature, and one to which there is but one cure! First, examine this passage: “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:18) Take note of “the head.” Who is this? And if He (the head of the body, the church) “aches,” what is the cause of His headache?
Granted, we don’t often think of Christ in this way. For Christ Jesus to have a “headache” is inconceivable for us. Yet, when you think of your own body, are there not things that happen to the body that result in headaches? Why would that not be the case with our Lord? When the body doesn’t function as it should, the head recognizes that pain, and depending on the severity of the pain, headaches result! When the body of Christ, the church, does not function/behave as the Head (Christ) describes for us to behave, it would affect Him, would it not?
Stress can cause headaches. There are times when local churches of Christ experience stressful situations, caused by a variety of circumstances, ranging from disappointments to unexpected emergencies to the death of a prominent member. We know death affects our Head (Psalm 116:15). We also know that willful sin would grieve the Head, and for this, there is no more sacrifice (Ephesians 4:17-32; Hebrews 10:26). When one member of the church suffers, all the members suffer with it (1 Corinthians 12:26). Would this not include the Head?
Physicians are skilled enough to pinpoint the direct cause of most headaches. Diet can cause them. Both the lack of physical exertion and an overabundance of activity can cause headaches. Students who spend too much time straining their eyes to read or write suffer from headaches. Likewise, those who haven’t studied enough suffer headaches as they endeavor to recall what otherwise would come to them easily had they studied. The same scenario is true with the children of God. Is it not better to have “overdone” than to have done nothing? Is it not better to be fatigued because of too much time reading and studying, than to have not read or studied at all? One is a pain that results in reward, while the other is an unneeded pain that results in even more pain and suffering: in this case, eternal suffering!
We could draw many situations regarding the cause of headaches, but we also know there are both ways to avoid them and ways to alleviate them. Relieving the pain seems the most beneficial course of action. Of course, if one knows how to prevent headaches, one would be foolish to continue doing whatever causes suffering! As we examine headaches from the aspect of Christ Jesus being the Head, we must conclude that we, the body, are the cause! There are no “neurological problems” with our Lord: obviously, whatever pain He experiences is because we, the members of His body, have caused it. How, then, do we relieve the pain we cause? Answer: obedience!
Proper diet (Matthew 5:6), proper exercise (1 Timothy 4: 7 – 8), regular diligence in reading and studying (2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Peter 3:18), and being sure to exhort and admonish the other members of the body (Hebrews 3:13; Romans 15:14), are the basic means by which we can keep the Head of the church from having headaches! And more, these will keep the body of Christ (the church) fit and properly prepared to defend the Lord’s work and word!