It’s not how well you start, it’s how well you finish!

Starting out is good, but finishing well is even better, especially for all of us with plans to start a hair journey of going natural. I made the decision to go natural and I am in the process of transitioning by slowly growing out my relaxer. If you, like me, have been transitioning for any length of time, you may didn't know what to expect with your natural hair transition. Just as a reminder, my last relaxer was March 2014 --- But there have been days when I was annoyed with my hair, and relaxing it has been so tempting! The excuse I made to myself was that my hair was too thick and that I don’t have time to style my hair ---but rather than give up on all the progress I have made, I'm keeping the party going! I fully admit, it’s certainly a journey!Every day I come across women that are at their breaking point and are almost ready to give up on natural hair, but I remind them that they can make it.

Why am I writing this? The Christian journey is something like the natural hair journey...many times you start to doubt that you'll make it. You think, "I'll never be able to do this ---But you can!!! But with the natural hair journey, women are getting discouraged in contemplation of giving up my natural journey because they are having to deal with two different textures of hair. This is the common problem, and the thing that discourages women from going natural. And just as there the two conflicting textures in the hair journey (relaxed hair and new natural growth), there are two natures in the Christian: the spirit and the flesh…and they are always in conflict with one another. In Galatians 5:17 we are told, "The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would."

In a spiritual sense, Jacob and Esau is a perfect illustration of the conflict between flesh and spirit. The story of Jacob and Esau is that of twin brothers, sons of Isaac and Rebekah. Jacob and Esau were not identical twins; actually, they were opposites. From the very beginning, these two brothers were struggling against each other. They represent the conflict of the flesh and the spirit. Esau represents that which is natural, whereas Jacob represents that which is spiritual. The conflict between the natural and the spiritual is present in every believer's heart. It is the conflict of the two natures.

But Romans 8:5-9 clearly describes for us the difference between walking in the flesh and walking in the Spirit. I have learned according to Romans 8:5-9 “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.” You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.

Don't give into your fleshly desires!!!!!

If Satan cannot get you to give in, he will try to get you to give up.

It is in my God given nature to encourage you ALL so I will say this, don’t see your natural hair/ Christian journey as merely the passing of time, but rather a journey of faith. When preparing for the journey, it will take faithfulness. In this journey, you will experience failure, frustration, and even hopelessness, but you must remain faithful. Faithfulness means a lot to the Lord. It’s easy to give up because of discouragement, but don’t give up yet…you are almost there!!! This journey takes dedication, faithfulness, obedience, commitment, and sacrifice! We are told in Galatians 6:9,  “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” REMEMBER: Anyone can make a good start, the real test is in finishing well. It’s not how well you start; what matters is how well you finish. In James 1:12, we are told,  “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” The blessing comes after the trial not before. In Luke 8:13, Jesus also spoke of believers who quit, “Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.” It is staying with the Lord that matters, not merely starting out. It is loving the Lord for a lifetime, not just for a time.