‘So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. ‘ Colossians 1:9-12(NLT)
‘When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.’ Psalms 94:19(NLT)
‘Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. ‘ Galatians 6:2(NLT)
‘Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.’ Hebrews 10:24-25(NLT)
I heard a story about a young boy in Texas who found a rattlesnake in his toilet. As if that isn’t horrible enough, when the snake remover came to take care of the issue, he found 24 more rattlesnakes living underneath their house. What lies beneath the surface will eventually find its way out into the open.
It’s the same way with our lives—what lies underneath the surface of your heart? James 4:1 says, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?”
The issues outside of us all stem from the battles within us. We’ve looked at red flags in dating, red flags in marriage, and now it’s time to look at the red flags in us. Most of the conflict we face comes from something deep within our hearts. In our fast-paced culture, it’s hard to stop, reflect, and look inward to the true condition of our hearts. Below are three red flags you might find in yourself:
1) You’ve stopped wanting to grow in your relationship with God and just feel stagnant.
2) You stop feeling excitement, passion, sadness, or any type of emotion and just feel numb.
3) You start to withdraw from the people you love.
How are you doing emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically? Is your heart full of joy and peace or fear and anger? If you have any of the red flags we covered today in your life, take courage; you’re in good company. Many of the characters in the Bible had red flags to spot, deal with, and overcome as well.
If you see red flags in your heart, I want to encourage you that it’s possible to change. You don’t have to stay where you are. Remember that God loves you, He has a calling for your life, and you’re in His hands. He’s got you. Take some time to rest, get quiet, and be alone with Jesus. Let Him refresh your soul as you bring up some things that are underneath the surface to your Father so He can bring freedom and healing!
Pray with me today: “Heavenly Father, help me to see the red flags within me so I can make changes and grow into all that you’ve called me to be. I want to become more like Jesus, so work in me to mold me and make me into His image! I surrender my heart to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
from Red Flags: A 10 Day Devotional On Relationships