Have you ever let a little insecurity, a seemingly insignificant comment, or the occasional negative self-talk, affect how you see yourself? Or maybe like me, you’ve allowed your weaknesses to cause you to doubt your abilities. It can all start so innocently but before you know it, you’re pushed dangerously close to being smothered by uncontrolled emotions and shame. And as you watch the situation unfold, you recognize you’re losing control over your heart and head.

Recently, I was faced with a seemingly harmless household task. But the task became a hill that caused me to struggle.

See if you can relate.

I don’t like ironing!

I’m not sure why I have this aversion because I come from a long line of ironing lovers. My mother would press and starch her way through cotton dresses and business shirts. My sister glows with satisfaction as she transforms a pile of wrinkled fabric into flattened masterpieces. And now I live next door to a folding and steaming enthusiast who looks forward to her weekly ironing therapy.

I’ll be honest, I just don’t get it. From my perspective, ironing is a waste of valuable time. A task that somehow should take care of itself. I think all clothes, not just the permanent-press variety, should come from the washer to the dryer and onto their hangers wrinkle-free. I will confess, I do enjoy wearing beautifully ironed clothes – such a contradiction. But I suppose that’s where a good dry cleaner comes in.

This is going to sound ridiculous, but I’m going to share it anyway.

I placed two items that needed ironing in the laundry room. I thought if I got them a little closer to the ironing board, perhaps something magical would happen. Instead, every time I passed the laundry room, which is EVERY time I go out the door to the garage, the stack of clothes reminded me of what a failure I had become. I tried to ignore the visible reminder, I guess I should have just put them back into my closet, but instead, they sat on the counter intimidating me.

And here’s the interesting thing, my ironing pile began to grow. It had multiplied from a blouse and a pair of pants to blouses, pants, a dress thingy, and more tops. At this point, my sister and neighbor were tired of hearing my complaining and offered to help. Even my husband asked if I needed a hand. But then it hit me, and I don’t mean figuratively, the ever-increasing pile grabbed me, and at that point, I knew I had lost control. I needed to admit there was more to my aversion than meets the ironing board.

Although I come from that laundry-loving lineage, I didn’t get the pressing gene. So, when faced with a pile, I have no desire or strategy on how to even start the work. And this time was no different. As the pile grew, my reluctance gave way to despair and I began comparing my shortcomings with my ironing-loving family and friends. Before I knew it, I’d become a failure in unrelated situations, and I was stuck. I told you it was going to sound ridiculous but unfortunately so true.

After a week (okay maybe two), reason returned and I recognized I just needed to fill the iron with water, put up the board, and IRON. My procrastination was not a solution. I had to push out the lies I was trying to believe (clothes iron themselves), focus on the truth (clothes need ironing), and take action (IRON).

As ridiculous as this example is, I think if we are honest, we all have been in situations that we allowed to control us. And once under their control, it influences how we see ourselves and think about our abilities. If the situation is bordered by fatigue or feelings of vulnerability our worlds can turn upside-down.

The writer of Proverbs reminds us,

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!”

Proverbs 3:5-6 (The Message)

So, the next time my ironing pile starts accusing me, and I find myself believing the lies and spiraling into despair, I’m going to run to God, away from evil, and trust him.

I hope the next time you face an intimidating task; you remember God is always available. He waits for you.

I’m proud to share that I tackled the pile. As I finished the final blouse I went into my closet and pulled out a few more items to steam and hang. I had found my rhythm and to my surprise, I began to understand what my ironing-loving family and friends kept telling me. A sense of accomplishment waits on the other side of hanging freshly pressed garments in their place in the closet.

Enjoy your ironing,