Braces

When I turned 30, I decided to get braces. I had struggled with TMJ for years, and my overbite was pretty noticeable. My teeth weren’t terrible, but they needed some work.

Whenever I saw someone with perfect teeth, I would think, “Gah! I want pretty teeth like that.”

Did you ever have braces? Do you remember the pain, the discomfort, and the inconvenience? Ugh. They really are tough.

Still, no matter how uncomfortable it got, I kept telling myself it would be worth it. I knew what I was working toward.

Often, our lives are a lot like having braces. How many of us have looked at people and the lives they lead and go, “Gah! I want their life!” (You already know where I’m going with this, don’t you?)

But honestly, how many times have we envied what someone else has or wished for it ourselves? The truth is, we have no idea what those people went through to get where they are.

The thing is, we only see the finished product. We don’t see the months of pain, discomfort, inconvenience, or even embarrassment they experienced. We just notice the perfect smile.

Every journey in life is a bit like getting braces for the first time. At first, it’s exciting because you know what you’re working toward. But as time goes on, things get harder, and the discomfort can make you question why you wanted this in the first place.

Submitting to God and His plan for you will not always be enjoyable. Why? Because we have a sinful nature.

Just like my teeth have been in this same position for thirty-plus years, it’s going to take some hard work to get them perfect. My teeth fought me every step of the way because it’s in their nature to stay rooted, to stay put.

It is our nature to want to be comfortable. We don’t like pain. But the discomfort we experience while we allow God to bring about change in us is only for a little while.

1 Peter 5:10 (NLT)

“In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.”

The most important thing with braces is following directions. I remember my doctor telling me to use a complicated rubber band pattern that was really painful, but it was necessary to fix my overbite. The doctor started the process, but after that, it was up to me to keep it going.

Sometimes we go to church, and we expect God to fix us in one setting. Not so my friend, not so.

Most of the time, God will show us what needs to be done, and then we have to follow through with His instructions. You have to submit yourself to God and His process if you want to change. If you’re going to live the life He has for you, you have to put the rubber band on like He showed you, and just deal with it. And stop begging God to save you from the process of the rubber band.

Granted, there are times when God does a miracle and instantly fixes your issue; that’s probably the equivalent of getting veneers. But most of the time, God works like braces. It takes time. Not because God isn’t miraculous and can’t do it, but because you need to learn something in the process.

More often than not, we value that which we work hard for. I’ll admit, the braces have been off for a while, and I don’t remember the pain, but I know that I never want to go through that process again, so yes, I wear my retainers. I have no desire for my teeth to revert to their old pattern.

So submit to His process. The process sucks for all of us, but know that you’re not alone. If you want what God has for you, you have to submit and follow through.

You will get through this.

You will see the rewards of your hard work.

You will. I promise.

God even promises you this. Everything He starts, He finishes.

Philippians 1:6 (AMP)

“I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who begun a good work in you will (continue to) perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus (the time of His return).”

The braces won’t last forever. So take a deep breath, put your rubber bands on, and remind yourself, it’ll be worth it.

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