Over the last year or so, I noticed that when I removed my nail polish, my toenails were looking kind of yellow. At first, I thought it might be the coloring left behind from certain nail polish shades. I would shrug and reapply a new color of nail polish and go on with my life.

One day, I took my little one to a nail salon to get a pedicure for our mommy and me date. She loved it. While I was there, I decided to get a pedicure as well. When the woman asked me what I wanted, I mistakenly asked for GEL. I didn’t realize that she would use a nail drill to take the top layer off of my toenails. She had already begun, so I didn’t stop her.

Later that week, my toenail on my big toe broke off in a large chunk. I was so confused. The GEL layers should have made my toenails strong and it shouldn’t have been possible for this break to happen. I had to trim it and reshape it because the edge was so sharp. I didn’t want to accidentally hurt myself or someone else later.

Eventually, I took the GEL polish off and repainted my toenails. It wasn’t until months later that I was again changing out the polish and saw that underneath my pretty polish, my nails were white and brittle. What had happened?!

The only thing that I can think of, is that I had somehow gotten toenail fungus a long time ago. Applying the nail polish covered up my condition. Going to the nail salon, when she took that top layer off, it took my protection from the nail and the fungus grew at a faster rate. By the time I had discovered it for what it was, I had a major problem. Without knowing it, I had been sharing my nail polish, who knows if that has caused problems for others.

My first reaction was shock, then disappointment, then of course the thought to just keep covering it up entered my mind. I shook that thought off immediately, knowing that if I didn’t take care of this now, my nails would keep becoming weaker and weaker. I decided that I would not use polish anymore until I had killed the fungus completely.

I began to look for treatments over the counter. I tried a couple of things for a few weeks and nothing was happening. Then, I found something that seemed to make a big difference overnight. I have been treating my toenails each day for a long time now and they are getting much stronger and healthier again. I’m even enjoying not having nail polish on my feet.

Why on earth am I blogging about toenail fungus? Gross. I have to admit, I cringe a little to do this post, but early on in this experience, I knew that I had to post about it. Here is why:

The nail polish represents the good face that we put on for others to see. We are all struggling with something, but we want to hide it and not let everyone see. Or maybe, we want to look prettier than we really are. Whatever this looks like for you, the polish isn’t a protection, it is paint. It is meant to cover up what is really there.

The fungus snuck up on me, just like the yucky things of this world sneak into our lives. The movies we watch, the music we listen to, the conversations that we are a part of. The sneak into our lives and they attach themselves to our spirit. What types of things are you surrounding yourself with?

The nail drill at the salon was a big even that took all of my protective layer off. It allowed the yucky fungus to grow at a rapid rate without any defense. We each have big events like this, job loss, a death of a loved one, addictions, abuse from others, natural disasters that we weren’t prepared for, etc. When these things happen, the natural thing to do is doubt and ask God why this happened. Doubt can lead to many things, and I have seen a small doubt eventually lead to a disbelief in God altogether.

Without realizing my contagious condition, I had been sharing my nail polish with others. I really hope that no one has to deal with this problem like I do. It led me to think about some of the yucky things that creep into our lives that we unknowingly share with others.

I had been tempted to cover it up and keep others from seeing it. It was so gross! Do we also try to cover up the yucky parts of our soul to keep others from seeing it? Does it even matter if God knows? For He is the only one that truly matters.

The moment that I discovered that I did indeed have toenail fungus was a crucial moment. What would I do with that knowledge? Would I continue to cover it up? I was very tempted to do so. Would I stop the fungus from taking over completely? It wasn’t an easy decision, and I had no idea what to do, but I felt the strongest determination to do just that. I’m not sure that determination was my own. I do know that God has taught me an amazing lesson with this circumstance.

I turned away from the easy, but deceptive “fix”, and I chose the harder and longer journey of looking for, finding, and using the treatment necessary to kill this fast moving and destroying nail fungus. Where are you looking for the answer to your problems in this life? Some of our problems are small and easily fixable. Some of our problems, however, are major and need lots of time to heal. Some will search high and low for the one thing that will bring relief. Some might not even find it. Just like I had tried a few different treatments before find the right one, there are certain religions out there that have parts of the truth, but not all of it. God will show you were to go. Ask Him. He will lead you.

My toenail fungus is almost gone, but it is possible that I will have to be vigilant for the rest of my life. Just like it is with certain conditions in life. Health conditions, conditions of temptation, and addiction. They are in reality the conditions of the world in which we live in. Knowing this, how will you watch for and defend against these things? My biggest defense is the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is my Savior and Redeemer. His unconditional love and atoning sacrifice enable me to overcome all things. Even toenail fungus.

Do you know how to find Him? Do you know where to look for Him? He is there waiting for you to invite Him into your life. He is always there regardless, blessing you throughout the trials and tribulations of this world. I promise you that if you turn to Him and invite Him into your life, you fill find ever greater blessings. He is excited to show you amazing things.

Oh, and maybe try to: “Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith.” – President Dieter F. Uchtdorf