Hi all,
This is my first post, and I'm glad this forum exists. Great to see a venue where believers can encourage each other.
So, here's my issue: I'm fighting hair loss, don't personally think I look good at all bald, and want to keep my hair. I know this is the definition of a first world problem, but for some reason it's still been bothering me quite a bit. I'm still single, and would like to date. My hair hasn't receded a TON yet, but it's visible. When I shave my head, the classic male pattern baldness signs are apparent. I've despised the way I look with a buzzcut since a young age, and have even tried the look again a couple times in the past couple years, only to realize it was not the look for me. Each time, I've been eager for my hair to just grow out. Understandably, when the whole hair loss thing became noticeable, I panicked, got on the meds ASAP (generic forms of propecia/rogaine), and didn't look back. Well, until a couple years ago.
The problem? Well, since renewing my faith and making a deeper commitment to walking with the Lord, I haven't felt spiritual peace about fighting to keep my hair. I know it sounds stupid, but please hear my out. Even though I don't have much of a personal issue with fighting hair loss, in general, I don't know if that's the route I'm personally supposed to take. I'm trying to hear God's voice as to the right actions for me to take on this matter.
When my whole issues about 'fighting hair loss' surfaced in the first place, a friend prayed with me on the matter (he actually prayed for God to heal my hair, while I was just sort of praying about the situation in general -- what to do/not to do/etc.). During this prayer, I actually felt the presence of the Holy spirit (the heat/warm sensation, all of that stuff -- not to get into a charismatic debate). After that prayer I stopped taking the meds. My hair was okay for a bit, but a few months later I could feel it falling. At that point, I chickened out and started the meds back up again, which worked, but I didn't feel right deep down spiritually. So I stopped again, but bargained with myself to not give up on the fight completely, saying 'well, maybe it's just the Propecia I should steer clear of, because it can have bad side effects.' Then, I went on the generic form of Rogaine alone. Unfortunately, I still didn't feel right about the whole thing.
After that, I decided to take an all natural route. I experimented around, lost more hair (and a couple months ago it was legit noticeable, at least to me), and have found a hair loss shampoo and all-natural hair loss supplement that seemed to be way better than nothing. The problem? Well, I still don't feel amazing with the Lord about this. I know it sounds extreme to say "I'm afraid I'm sinning by doing something about my hair loss," but I don't see "not sinning" to be as simple as not breaking laws; I see it as whether a person is following God's specific instructions for his or her own life. To be clear: I don't think doing something about hair loss is a categorical sin; perhaps it just is for me.
This is tough, because I loathe the prospect of disobedience to God, but I also hate the way I look without hair. It's not a flattering look for me at all (let's face it, Bruce Willis and Patrick Stewart are lucky), and I'd like to date around soon. I feel like if I could have a clear answer from God about what path to take, I'd follow it with peace. I'm just having a hard time getting that answer. I'm considering fasting to get that kind of guidance.
Your prayers and wisdom are appreciated. Thank you all.
This is my first post, and I'm glad this forum exists. Great to see a venue where believers can encourage each other.
So, here's my issue: I'm fighting hair loss, don't personally think I look good at all bald, and want to keep my hair. I know this is the definition of a first world problem, but for some reason it's still been bothering me quite a bit. I'm still single, and would like to date. My hair hasn't receded a TON yet, but it's visible. When I shave my head, the classic male pattern baldness signs are apparent. I've despised the way I look with a buzzcut since a young age, and have even tried the look again a couple times in the past couple years, only to realize it was not the look for me. Each time, I've been eager for my hair to just grow out. Understandably, when the whole hair loss thing became noticeable, I panicked, got on the meds ASAP (generic forms of propecia/rogaine), and didn't look back. Well, until a couple years ago.
The problem? Well, since renewing my faith and making a deeper commitment to walking with the Lord, I haven't felt spiritual peace about fighting to keep my hair. I know it sounds stupid, but please hear my out. Even though I don't have much of a personal issue with fighting hair loss, in general, I don't know if that's the route I'm personally supposed to take. I'm trying to hear God's voice as to the right actions for me to take on this matter.
When my whole issues about 'fighting hair loss' surfaced in the first place, a friend prayed with me on the matter (he actually prayed for God to heal my hair, while I was just sort of praying about the situation in general -- what to do/not to do/etc.). During this prayer, I actually felt the presence of the Holy spirit (the heat/warm sensation, all of that stuff -- not to get into a charismatic debate). After that prayer I stopped taking the meds. My hair was okay for a bit, but a few months later I could feel it falling. At that point, I chickened out and started the meds back up again, which worked, but I didn't feel right deep down spiritually. So I stopped again, but bargained with myself to not give up on the fight completely, saying 'well, maybe it's just the Propecia I should steer clear of, because it can have bad side effects.' Then, I went on the generic form of Rogaine alone. Unfortunately, I still didn't feel right about the whole thing.
After that, I decided to take an all natural route. I experimented around, lost more hair (and a couple months ago it was legit noticeable, at least to me), and have found a hair loss shampoo and all-natural hair loss supplement that seemed to be way better than nothing. The problem? Well, I still don't feel amazing with the Lord about this. I know it sounds extreme to say "I'm afraid I'm sinning by doing something about my hair loss," but I don't see "not sinning" to be as simple as not breaking laws; I see it as whether a person is following God's specific instructions for his or her own life. To be clear: I don't think doing something about hair loss is a categorical sin; perhaps it just is for me.
This is tough, because I loathe the prospect of disobedience to God, but I also hate the way I look without hair. It's not a flattering look for me at all (let's face it, Bruce Willis and Patrick Stewart are lucky), and I'd like to date around soon. I feel like if I could have a clear answer from God about what path to take, I'd follow it with peace. I'm just having a hard time getting that answer. I'm considering fasting to get that kind of guidance.
Your prayers and wisdom are appreciated. Thank you all.
