Month: January 2015

Lessons Learned From Daring to Finally Use my Flat Iron

Ladies, I’m pretty sure you’re going to be able to relate to this post. Fellas, hang in there. Just substitute the mentions of the flat iron with something you fear.

I bought a pretty pink flat iron about two years ago. For those two years, it just sat there in its box. I wanted to use it. I had looked at the instructions when I first got it. But I was afraid. I feared burning my hair or my skin, I worried that I might accidentally burn the house down, and I was convinced that it would take too much time to straighten my hair.

So it just sat there for weeks, months, and years.

That is until a few weeks ago when I became determined to stop making excuses and to conquer this fear. I wanted to stop avoiding this simple item that I saw others using with ease. Below are some of the steps I took to make this change. I pray that you will be able to apply even some of these lessons to overcome some lingering fears you may be battling:

I learned more about the item. I found videos online that showed step-by-step how to use a flat iron. Thank God for online tutorials! As I watched the videos, I relaxed and saw how easy it was to use this device. I now had a model to follow. The same could help you with whatever is keeping you frozen with fear. Ask people for guidance or help, read about people in similar situations, and learn more about what you’re afraid of. The more informed you are, the more confidence you’ll have to tackle that situation.

I actually used the item. Armed with all this new information, one morning I finally tried it out. This is so important. It’s easy to get stuck in the first stage, but we need to then take action. What good would all that knowledge have been if I didn’t then act on it? Guess what? It wasn’t so bad. I’m almost embarrassed to admit how long I avoided using this item, and I wonder how much longer I would have let the flat iron just sit there collecting dust instead of using it for what it was intended to do. In your case, after you’ve prayed and learned about your situation there comes a time when you will need to step out in faith and take the next step.

Practice really does make progress. The first time I used the flat iron it didn’t go as well as I would have liked, but I didn’t give up. I kept trying. And my results keep getting better and better. Don’t be discouraged if you step out and things don’t go as smoothly as you’d like. Keep trying, growing, and learning. It will hopefully become easier and feel more natural for you as you gain experience.

Rejoice in big and little victories. Ok, so taming my wavy hair isn’t a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but I’m writing about this because it was a small victory for me. I faced my fear and tried something new. I stepped out of my comfort zone, and now I’m enjoying the rewards of that decision. It’s something I’m doing in several areas of my life. It’s empowering to know that you can push past your fears. I pray that you will have the courage, with God’s help, to face any fears that may be hindering you. Don’t stay stuck and let your flat iron stay in its box for another year.

May you have a fun, fearless year! Trust God and have the courage and boldness to step out in faith, to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, and to live your God-given dreams! Blessings!

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1-7).

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