Thursday, February 05, 2009

Are there Red Flags in you Life?


This past month I've had the privilege of going on several job interviews. I've turned a few down and worried about some others. Each job comes with its own unique set of red flags. (hours, pay, location, other duties as assigned, etc.) After I go through the interview, I come home and review what I liked and didn't like and what little alerts went off in my head as I answered the interviewer's questions.


Do you get those red flags when you're writing too? I do. I start a story and pretty quick I know it's not going anywhere--there's no meat to it. Or I might find that I need to switch the whole theme. In that case, my red flag alerts me to change it in a way that hopefully improves it.


I believe God gives us those red flags in our lives so we can do the best with what we have whether it's writing or parenting or taking on a new career.

Call it a flag, or a premonition or a tiny voice inside, but I believe when God speaks to us about the issues in our life --we need to listen.


I've been trying to pay attention to the red flags in my life--trying to stay alert and go the direction I should be. It isn't always easy but I believe it's the best guidance I have.
Are there any red flags in your life right now? How are you listening?

17 comments:

Robin Lambright said...

Preach it sister! I am a firm believer in staying tuned in to that discerning spirit. It is only when we forge ahead without listening to what God has to say that we/me get into situations or (writing subjects) that may not be the best for us.

Blessings
Robin

Angie Ledbetter said...

Yes ma'am. I nurture and hone those inner warning systems and it pays off. Red flags come in real handy letting me know when my sleep deprivation needs correcting. The coffee pot just doesn't do the trick. Like most moms, I'm also highly attuned to dangers and changes with my 3 kidlets. :)

Jessica Nelson said...

Hmmm, I should probably pay attention better. Great post, though!
I will say with my first manuscript that I got bored halfway through and so introduced a secret agent and some suspense. Many, many revisions later, I realized that the story was a lot better because of my new direction. So, I guess boredom could be a red flag. LOL

Donna M. Kohlstrom said...

Red flags in my life are more like brick walls that I have to hit before I go "Aha! So that's why this isn't working!" I need to be still and listen to the Lord and to myself instead of running off in all directions, many of which I shouldn't be going in!

Praying job search success for you!

Melissa Amateis said...

Oh yes. I've had the red flags when I'm writing and I've had them in real life, too. I definitely believe it is the Holy Spirit who is warning me against something.

Barb Davis said...

Terri- Please go to my blog as soon as possible. There's a surprise for you!!!

Vickie said...

Great post Terri.

I do try to listen to the promptings that I get in my spirit. I find that I get better results, especially when I am writing poetry and I feel led to go in a totally direction than I had planned when I started.

Vickie

LisaShaw said...

Great message! I often live with the awareness of Red Flags and Trigger buttons!

Jenni James said...

Oh yeah! I've been really grateful to know when the Spirit says, "Run!" as soon as He says it. When those red flags pop up, I don't even question anymore, I'm gone.

B J Keltz said...

Every time I start a new venture it takes me a little time to discern between a red flag and simple insecurity. The more I work at anything new, the more defined those flags are. Sometimes they are inconvenient (or seem so), but I've never regretted yielding to one. I've sure regretted ignoring one!

Kasie West said...

Right now, my flags are all green. LOL (okay, maybe not all the time) But I am grateful for the times when God lets me know that I'm not on the right track.

BiPolar Wife said...

A million times a day, I ask God for the "Neon Sign Answer," that unmistakable answer from Him to a burning question I have had on my heart now for, well, for too long. His answer is not what I want to hear but I heed it anyway, knowing there is a reason.

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Well, I can't say that any stand out predominantly, but I'm always on the look out for them. God's Spirit is always on the move, within me and throughout the world. I'm trying to listen more and to realize that many of my "red flags" or, for that matter, "green lights" aren't hunches, but rather the holy nudge of heaven.

Have a great Friday.

peace~elaine

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

We call them "checks." It's a little twinge or warning that something isn't quite right.

On the other side, I've also experienced those little nudges in directions I might have otherwise rejected. Most of the times I've been published came as a result of that kind of direction.

Thanks for an insightful post.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Technonana said...

Yes Indeed, RED FLAGS.. I wish I could share my youngest child's testimony about this, but is not mine to share. But God sent her a red flag, that kept her from commiting to a marriage that would have been so wrong for her.

LisaShaw said...

Hi Tiffany, saw your comment...what's the book about? I haven't heard of the Hinds Feet on High Places

Anonymous said...

Good post. I don't know if I get red flags about writing itself, but I do get them about potential jobs. The times I've chosen to ignore the red flags, I always ended up regretting it later!