RED FLAGS

A red flag : to identify or draw attention to a problem or issue to be dealt with.

The red flag above is to warn of the dangerous waves in the ocean. In relationships we can have several red flags. We may also have red flags in our health to point us towards an issue. We can also call them warnings.

Why am I even thinking about this.

I have been guilty of ignoring warning signs, red flags. Have you? I remember a friend who once ignored all the warning signs flashing on her dashboard until her engine blew up. What about the red flags we get from our body, when we are extra tired, dehydrated or anxious or all of the above at one time. Relationships are another area where sometimes we see red flags but we move forward blindly. Why???

The answer to that question, will be different for some . I think some of us turn a blind eye out of love, convenience or fear. Others may just be so consumed with the cares of this world, we look away because we do not want to face the truth.

This is what I have learned, you can love someone and not be able to have them in your life. You can also take a stand. This means admitting that you see the warning signs/ red flags. Once you have identified them, decide first if you are going to turn a blind eye, take a stand and make a change.

Keep in mind sometime you feel the red flags not necessarily see them. I have done all of the above through the years. I recommend, that you do not turn a blind eye if it will only lead to future heartbreak of yourself or someone else. Remember sometime warning signs are giving to us about ourselves. Does the scale keep inching ? Is your cholesterol out of control? What about sugar intake? Can you play with your kids or grandkids if you are too heavy to run with them or is your sugar is too high or low you cannot function?

Do your friends and family avoid you because of your own behavior? You may not even realize what you are doing. If you are confrontational or disinterested in them, they will slowly pull away. Maybe they miss a few lunches or planned get togethers. I know for myself in years past my longest and best friend Mandy pulled away. I could have blamed it all on her husband at the time, but the truth was I was too opiniated. You see my opinion was the right opinion back then and no one else’s mattered to me. She needed me to be a friend who listened not be her problem solver. At least unless she asked me to. I say this because thank goodness I changed, I have someone myself I love dearly who is the same way it can get exhausted. I had to work on it. I am still not sure I have it all down pat. Now sometimes, it seems I am too much the other way. Silence is golden, unless you ask me and if you do hold on because I will surely tell you.

My point is there were red flags back then she would cancel lunches and eventually we just lost contact for a bit. I thank the Lord everyday that is was just a season and now we are closer than ever.

Do you sometimes feel you are on the edge of a cliff about to jump? DANGER DANGER that is a warning sign in itself. Reach out for help if you need to. I did when things got to overwhelming for me lately.

I call on Jesus and all the earthly people who can help me.

My prayer for each of you today is that God would open your eyes to the red flags, warning signs in your life. Father if we have anything we need to address within ourselves or others please give us the wisdom to do so with our grace and love. Guide us on how to deal with this signs. I pray in Jesus Name Amen

If you are here reading my ramblings, thank you so much and I hope you found a little something to help you through the day.