What Migraines Taught Me About Restoration

If you've followed New Creations Woodcraft for very long, you know that most of what I write is about restoring furniture. Bringing worn, damaged, and forgotten pieces back to life has taught me a lot over the years.

What I didn't expect was how many of those same lessons would apply to restoring myself.

Over the past several months, migraines have become a regular part of my life. Not just headaches, but the kind that bring brain fog, exhaustion, strange visual symptoms, ringing in the ears, balance issues, and days where simple tasks suddenly feel complicated.

If you've never experienced migraines, it's hard to explain.

If you have experienced them, you probably don't need an explanation.

One thing I have learned is that there is a temptation when dealing with health challenges to simply push harder. We convince ourselves that if we work longer, ignore the symptoms, drink another cup of coffee, or just "tough it out," we'll somehow force our way through.

Sometimes that works for a little while.

Eventually it doesn't.

When I restore an antique, I've learned to respect its limits. If a joint is loose, forcing it only causes more damage. If a finish is failing, covering it up doesn't fix the problem. The first step is always understanding what's happening and responding appropriately.

The same is true for ourselves.

Sometimes the strongest thing we can do is slow down.

Sometimes the wisest thing we can do is ask for help.

That part doesn't come naturally to many of us.

We like being the helper. We like being the one others depend on. We like fixing problems ourselves.

But there are seasons when we need to allow others to help carry the load.

Family members.

Friends.

Church family.

Doctors.

The people God has placed around us for a reason.

That doesn't mean we stop trying. It doesn't mean we give up responsibility. It simply means we recognize that none of us were designed to carry every burden alone.

Most importantly, migraines have reminded me of something I should have known all along.

I am not in control.

God is.

That's not always an easy lesson. We like plans. We like schedules. We like certainty. We like knowing that if we do A, B, and C, we'll get the result we want.

Life doesn't always work that way.

Health certainly doesn't.

Some days are good.

Some days are difficult.

Some days the only thing I can do is pray, take the next step in front of me, and trust that God is still working even when I don't understand what He is doing.

One verse has become especially meaningful during this season:

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." — Proverbs 3:5–6 (KJV)

Notice that God doesn't promise we will always understand the path.

He promises to direct it.

There is a difference.

If you're reading this while dealing with migraines, chronic pain, illness, stress, or any other challenge, I want to encourage you.

Take care of yourself.

Get the rest you need.

Accept help when it is offered.

Lean on the people who care about you.

But above all, lean on the Lord.

Furniture restoration has taught me that some of the most beautiful transformations happen slowly, one careful step at a time.

Perhaps God works that way with people too.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for supporting New Creations Woodcraft.

May God bless you and your family.

— Michael