Lessons from a Nail Buffer Tool??

I purchased a nail buffer recently. I am not very knowledgable about nail care, but I knew I needed to get some help for these nails! When I opened the package, I was looking at each of the 4 sides and reading about what each side is used for. God said “read and listen”. Really, God?? A nail buffer?? What can come out of this nail care tool?

Look at the description for each of the 4 functions:

Side One – File

Use this side to shape your nails. Always work in short, sharp strokes, and only file in one direction. Filing back and forth in a sawing motion will split and weaken the nail.

God says “always go forward”. Don’t go back and forth on decisions, paths to take, purchases to make, etc. The “back and forth” will weaken our mind and focus and could even cause you to “split” from God.

Side Two – Buff

Use this side to smooth out your nail and buff away any ridges or dips. Pay attention to the ridges though. Usually they are just a normal part of aging but sometimes could be a sign of other health issues.

“Pay attention to the ridges”. What are the “ridges”? They are like a groove or depression that can run from the tip of your nail to the cuticle. They can be anything that the enemy puts on us - from a depressed state of mind to other hardships (financial, relationships, material possessions) to physical conditions. If we move in and out/over and under these ridges, it is just like filing the nail back and forth. It will weaken our mind and focus.

In order to smooth out and remove any ridges and dips, we need to be buffed in order to provide a protective barrier. Our spiritual buffers include “daily prayer, regular scripture reading, worshipping and breaking bread in a community of other believers. These practices, when they become a regular part of the rhythm of our lives, deepen our relationship with God and with one another. They can build in us a sort of spiritual reservoir to draw on when challenges arise. Spiritual Buffer

Side Three – Polish

This is similar to the previous buffing step, but a little more vigorously. It gets out all the little imperfections that you might have missed, and makes your nails even smoother. The finer the grit, the glossier the finish will be.

As we experience hardship and struggles in this life, we are experiencing the “grit” which God uses to take out of us all that is not of Him. The “grittier” the trial, the smoother and sweeter our relationship becomes with God. Ask Him to remove all that is not like Him, and He will. We will become more polished and glossier than before.

Side Four – Bring out the Shine

It’s ahhhmazing how much shine you can get from this step. Gently buff in small back and forth motions until you are satisfied, but don’t press too hard and don’t overdo it.

Using a nail buffer

As we become more polished, we will bring out the shine of Jesus! The final step finishes the process from filing to shining. It finishes the corrections of the imperfections in us and causes us to shine with the light of Jesus!!

The word “buffer” used as a noun is “something that serves as a protective barrier; for reducing shock or damage due to contact”. When using “buffer” as a verb, it means to “lessen the shock of”. Buffer Definition

Guess who does that for us?!

Psalm 91:9-11 If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. (NLT)

1 Corinthians 10:13 But remember this—the wrong desires that come into your life aren’t anything new and different. Many others have faced exactly the same problems before you. And no temptation is irresistible. You can trust God to keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it, for he has promised this and will do what he says. He will show you how to escape temptation’s power so that you can bear up patiently against it. (TLB)

It’s a good thing that we can trust God to keep temptations from overcoming us because they will come to us but not OVERCOME us! We have to make our refuge (place of protection) and shelter (place that houses and feeds those in need) in God. Regardless of where you are located right this minute, you can be established with the living God who will protect you and feed you through His power and His Word.

Remember that this is not a one-time-only procedure. Just as our nails continue to grow and feel the effects of the rough times of life, WE continue to grow and need the continuous care which God provides!

Thanks for stopping by,

Rachel