We’ve all been there—staring straight at a red flag, sometimes multiple, but somehow managing to convince ourselves it’s part of the show. The clowns are harmless, right? The trapeze artist is mesmerizing, but there is something intriguing about The Bearded Lady, right! Maybe we even get caught up in the spectacle, thinking the chaos is just part of life’s fun. Spoiler alert: Red flags don’t signal entertainment. They signal danger.
I learned this the hard way. But I was fortunate enough to cross paths with a wise counselor—Ms. G—who didn’t just spot red flags; she lived and breathed them. She saw the subtle ones that blend into the background, and she wasn’t afraid to call out the obvious ones you’d rather ignore. Ms. G had this uncanny ability to show me that discernment wasn’t just about seeing the red flags; it was about believing they were there for a reason and acting accordingly.
The Subtle Red Flags We Miss
Ms. G often said, “Red flags are like whispers before they turn into screams.” She taught me how to spot the small, seemingly insignificant signs in relationships, opportunities, or even day-to-day decisions. The unreturned calls, the uncomfortable silences, the gut feelings we shove aside—all whispers of discernment trying to break through. Ignoring them doesn’t make them go away; it makes the circus a little louder.
The Courage to Discern
But spotting the flags is only the first half of discernment. Acting on them is where the real courage lies. Ms. G was adamant about this: “Discernment without action is like watching the parade go by, knowing you shouldn’t be in it.” Her words hit me every time I found myself hesitating to walk away from something—or someone—that wasn’t right for me. Discernment is a gift, but it’s also a responsibility.
Faith as a Compass
My Bible taught me, that God often plants those red flags not to punish us, but to protect us. Proverbs 2:11 says, “Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.” Discernment is God’s way of guiding us, if we- including myself -would trust the process.