Message of Faith: Seeing life through God's glasses

Migraines have been an unwelcome part of my life recently. I’ve had as many as two or three migraines a week for the last month or so, and I have to say it hasn’t exactly been fun. It wasn’t until about a week ago when I tried wearing my glasses the migraines began to improve.

A lot of people don’t know I wear glasses or that I should wear glasses. I was bullied throughout my childhood. The bullying worsened when I got glasses and braces during fifth grade. Years later, there is still something psychological about putting on glasses that makes me feel vulnerable, so I just choose not to wear them.

When the migraines kicked in, I didn’t even think to try my glasses. I kept the migraine pills going, shut the lights off and gulped down caffeine like a drug. I’m still not sure what made me think to try my glasses, but when I did everything improved. The spots I was seeing and the head pressure disappeared within half an hour and objects that once appeared blurry were clear.

I sat astounded that a month’s worth of agony could have been solved by one small change. Before, I attempted to mask the pain through temporary measures. I didn’t do anything to solve the base issue; I just repeatedly covered up the undesirable symptoms. I never considered the problem needed a more permanent solution. By wearing my glasses, I’m able to alter the cause of my symptoms and prevent the headaches entirely.

We, as Christians, tend to act the same way in our faith. We encounter a conflict or an issue in our lives, and then do anything in our power to alleviate the pain and negative side effects. We don’t give a thought to God or rely on Him to help us through—we’re too busy figuring out ways to handle it ourselves.

This is an equivalent of popping pills or guzzling caffeine. We may be able to postpone the symptoms of our distress for a while, but eventually they sneak up on us, leaving us exhausted and no better than when we started.

However, when we look beyond temporary fixes and ask for God’s help and strength in our struggles, God will always be there for us. Isaiah 40:29-31 says of God:

“He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” .

When I went back to wearing my glasses, I realized not only do they fix the symptoms of my migraines, but they also improve my vision. I didn’t realize how much my vision improves when I use my glasses.

In the same way, when we rely on God, not only does He support us through the problem at hand, but there are other added benefits. We begin to see all aspects of life more clearly because we are better able to see and respond to what God wants and can align ourselves with His purposes.

Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” .