Ignoring God’s Warnings

To encounter God in the midst of our circumstances. To look for signs of His presence as we walk along the path of life. It might be what we strive for. But, sometimes we miss the warnings God gives us and we walk right into disaster.

Having a “gratitude attitude” can open both our hearts and our eyes. It enables us to see God in the tiny details as well as in the big picture of our lives. We only need to slow down and take time to notice all of our blessings. Thanking God for them and enjoying His many gifts.

How many times do we miss God’s warnings? We miss them because we want to do what we want to do and no one can tell us any different. “I want to go to this party tonight” but there are warnings. We know people will be doing drugs and drinking, but we think we will be okay then we get in a vehicle accident on the way home that destroys our life.” Was God warning us? Did we miss it?

I think sometimes we miss the warnings because we don’t think to ask God before we do something. We don’t spend enough time hearing God speak to us. We don’t have an attitude toward prayer. We turn left when we should have turned right, and we go straight off the cliff. It can be something like thinking to take the fast trip home, but not feeling at peace about it, and going anyway, and getting in an accident.

The most important thing is to be close enough to God to recognize that still small voice as a warning. For me, it’s in the pit of my stomach. It’s my conscious. If I feel uneasy doing something, it’s an opportunity to back out, turn away, and ask God what He wants me to do.

If people would do this more often I think they would save themselves a lot of heartache. Do I get it right every time -No. An example of this is. I have a doctor’s appointment in the “big city. 120 miles away. I decided to go alone. I stopped and got gas and a drink and got an uneasy feeling about going. That I should call and cancel. Then I second-guessed it and drove the 120-mile journey. It’s a stressful drive, and I was tensed up most of the way. After the 2-hour drive, I pulled into the parking lot and my phone began ringing. I picked it up. It was the doctor’s office saying they had to cancel my appointment due to an emergency surgery the doctor had to go to. I had driven 120 miles for nothing. I hadn’t just missed the warning I ignored it.

An intimate and disciplined relationship with God can develop our spiritual senses to discern His guidance and recognize His warnings. It requires attentiveness and practice, not a mystical ability reserved for a few. While this is an ideal mindset, we do have human fallibility,

God’s warnings can come in many forms, from inner promptings to external circumstances. So, it’s important to be able to pray, trust, and obey. This requires us to cultivate a heart of humility.

We must remember that the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. No matter how careful our plans it can fail unexpectedly. Be sure you’re doing your best to hear God’s warnings.