How to Stop Getting Nailed

Years ago, my friend and financial counselor Jim Tewalt and I discussed our respective careers. Jim explained how many people, who felt their problems and challenges were insurmountable, were just a step away from a breakthrough in their problems. I have the same type of challenges as Jim does in his ministry. So often, pastors, leaders, parents, and cities are just a step or two away from getting where they always wanted to be. But taking that next step can be a challenge. Jim reckoned, “I think the next step is to get people who need to take the next step to take the next step.” I thought to myself, “Wow! What Jim said is an article.”

Taking the next step may not always relate to problems. A company or ministry could be one step away from moving from good to great. The next step could be moving from a ‘wanna-be’ to a ‘gonna-be’ to an ‘is-a-bee.’ Or it could be a transition or change in some way. Most people know there is something better, but they hesitate to take the next step to better.

I remember early on in my ministry when I asked the Lord in prayer, “I want to grow in my faith.” The answer to my prayer was, “Take the next step, a bigger step, on faith.” I decided in 1979 to go to Indonesia to participate and speak at some mission conferences. Since then, I have been in over 100 countries and ministered in over 90% of those countries. How did I get there? I took the next step. 

A short video called "It's Not About the Nail" is circulating. Google it on YouTube. Author Jason Headley offers sage advice to couples who may be going through hardships. The video is about taking that next step. So often, people who have apparent issues can’t see or recognize the next step to the solution. It’s like foul breath - everyone knows it's there except the one with foul breath.  

The video opens with a scene where a lady and a man sit on a couch. They are talking to one another. The lady has a real nail in her forehead. She starts the dialogue. “It’s just, there’s all this pressure, you know. And sometimes it feels like it’s right up on me, and I can feel it, like literally feel it in my head, and it’s relentless, and I don’t know if it’s gonna stop, I mean, that’s the thing that scares me the most, it’s that I don’t know if it’s ever gonna stop.”

The man says, “Ya. Well, you do have a nail in your head." The woman says defensively, "It's not about the nail!" The man says, "Are you sure because, I mean, I bet if we got that out of there…" She retorts, "Stop trying to fix it." He says, "No, I'm not trying to fix it, I'm just pointing out that maybe the nail is causing…" She interrupts, "You always do this – you always try to fix things when I really need you just to listen." He says, "No, I don't think just listening is what you need. I think what you need is to get the nail out…” She responds angrily with, “SEE, YOU’RE NOT EVEN LISTENING NOW!

The man somewhat hesitantly says, “Ok, fine. I will listen, fine.” She is intense and says, “It’s just – sometimes it’s like – there’s this achy. I don’t know what it is. And I’m not sleeping very well at all. And all my sweaters are snagged. I mean – all of them.” He tries to be understanding and sensitive, “That sounds really hard.” She smiles and says, “It is. Thank you.” 

Then the two of them try to embrace, but his head collides with hers while they are trying to kiss and make up. It physically hurts both of them. He says loudly, “Oh, come on! If you would just…” She glares at him. She shouts, "Don't!" Women don’t take this personally. Men do the same thing. Everyone is subject to a “It’s Not About the Nail” issue. 

Here’s a three-step nail removal process everyone should know about. I call it moving from your head to your heart to your feet. It takes three steps to move from knowledge to application. The first step is recognizing something that needs addressing, starting with a thought in your head. That’s called knowledge. We know it but won’t or don’t do anything about it. The next step is moving from knowledge to understanding. Understanding is when we get an “Aha!” about the issue. “Aha! It is about the nail.” The knowledge (head) moves to our emotions (heart). Then, your mind and emotions agree. The final step is to act on (feet) what we know and understand. Now, we are on the way rather than in the way. We move from knowledge impressed to knowledge expressed.  

Let’s personalize this process. What is your next step? What is that nail everyone sees except you that could take you from the outhouse to the penthouse? It may be time to take out that nail of laziness, unforgiveness, hate, or anger. It may be time to take a risk and expand your business, get some training, or pursue your dream. You’re already good. Now, take the next step and be great. 

Jesus asks each of us, "In an underachieving area in your life, do you want to be healed?" If you say, "Yes," he says, "Then stand up, take up your bed, and walk." That's often the next step to taking the next step.