Invisalign Braces...Oh My Joy and Grievance!

I got my first set of Invisalign braces yesterday and can't help but feeling duped! Okay, so maybe it's my own fault for not doing my own research, but no one told me the true COST of Invisalign….not even my own friends that had Invisalign! All they told me was how much they liked how their teeth looked and how glad they were they did it. I mean yes, I am aware of the $3,000 price tag, but there are so many more costs (pain, sacrifice, etc) that no one told me about...They were so surprising that I even considered abandoning my original decision all together.

Has this ever happened to you before? For me, this was exactly what it was like the first time I went to church and met other Christians. I heard a lot of anecdotes about the joy and peace that came from being a disciple…but no one initially told me about some of the costs… No one told me about the pain, how people would laugh at me, and how I would have to change my lifestyle. Real quick, let’s see what I mean when I say there is a high cost with getting Invisalign and being a disciple.

1.) Lifestyle Change Required

Invisalign: During the 22 hours a day that I am required to have my trays in , the following are off limits: No snacking, no coffee/tea or anything other than cold water, no gum. Oh and there is a chance that for the REST OF YOUR LIFE, you will have to sleep with a retainer, FML.

Disciple: For the REST OF YOUR LIFE, Jesus is the only priority. We should love Him wholeheartedly even at the expense of losing friends, family, and community. He is more important than money or career success (Matthew 8:21-22, Matthew 16:24, Matthew 10:32-39) . Don't get drunk, instead fill yourself with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) Don't look out for #1, but instead consider others better than yourselves (Philippians 2:3). Don't have sex outside of marriage (Hebrews 13:4 1 Corinthians 7:2)….etc.

2.) People Will Make Fun of You

Invisalign: = LSIP... oopth!!!! sthorrrry....thith hath really been a thlippery thlope! I can't help that I am thspesthal and prethith!

Disciple: "Haha, seriously you haven't seen your boyfriend naked yet?" "Christianity is just a crutch for weak people" "She's just a Jesus freak"

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.“ John 15:18-22

3.) There Will Be Pain

Invisalign: I guess I never actually thought about how exactly the trays would move my teeth. Last night my boyfriend made me a wonderful dinner for our anniversary, but my teeth could only handle eating the mashed potatoes. Most of my teeth felt sore and taking bites or chewing only made matters worse. Allegedly this will only happen the first few days when you start on a new set of trays.

Disciple: Unlike the false doctrine being preached via televangelists, the gospel NO WHERE promises health, prosperity and wealth, but it does promise suffering :/

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you." 1 Peter 4:12-15.

Final Thoughts
So what to do now? I have a choice in both instances. I could stop Invisalign treatment all together and try and get my money back, or I could stop following Christ and go back to being self-sufficient, but neither is appealing when I think of the PRIZES at the end of this. In 10 months, my smile is going to be gorgeous and my teeth will be straight. What's more, according to Invisalign Smile Survey, I will be more attractive, more likely to get selected for a job/promotion, and more likely to be offered to try a bite of a friend’s sandwich or ice cream cone! Whenever my teeth hurt, I just close my eyes and imagine myself with a perfect smile and it makes everything more bearable. The same is true only to a much greater extent with being a disciple. When I die, I will be in paradise with the Creator of the world, the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, and with Jesus who loves me unconditionally! I will be in a place, where there will be no more pain, suffering, or tears. Did I mention I will be like this for the REST OF ETERNITY??? Being a disciple is like running a race for all of my life. By keeping my eyes on Jesus/the prize, I am able to persevere through times when I want to quit. I’ll leave you with this verse that reinstates this very idea:

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3

P.S. I want to clarify, that it’s not the changes in lifestyle or other works, that give me eternal life. I have been saved because of faith and God’s mercy/Grace (Titus 3:5, Ephesians 2:8-9). Sthank tsou!