Red Flags
From time to time I suddenly realize I’ve fallen into a habit of apologizing too often. It’s a compulsive behavior that has a way of sneaking up on me. By the time I realize I’ve been apologizing for all sorts of silly things, it may have been going on for a few days. I might, for instance, say, “I’m sorry,” as I step past a family member on my way to the sink to wash lettuce for our salad, which is really just helpful and certainly requires no apology. And if, at some point, it occurs to me that I’ve been saying I’m sorry again and again for no good reason, my first instinct is often to apologize for apologizing too much.
I’ve come to think of this nonsensical, repetitive behavior as a helpful red flag waving me to pause and consider the orientation of my heart. It typically means I’ve drifted into that old lane of craving other people’s approval and that I’ve temporarily forgotten that God alone is my primary audience. Rather than being a source of shame, I really think red flags like this can be viewed as gifts from God and something to be thankful for.
Another common“red flag” for me is when I hear myself starting conversations like this: “You know what’s really sad?”
That’s never a good sign. My kids do think it’s funny though. They like to joke with me and say, “Hey Mom, you know what’s really sad?”
We laugh about it. Just like the compulsive apologizing, the habit of looking for and calling out really sad things can be a helpful red flag waving for my attention. Once I see it and recognize the old pattern, I can consciously return my focus to thankfulness and calling out whatever is true, noble, and lovely.
Do you find it’s easy to beat yourself up over old habits that resurface here and there? Maybe try seeing those outward patterns as helpful red flags waving for your attention. Every time you see one, you can think of it as an invitation to reorient your heart to God in some way.
He faithfully calls us to Himself—the only true source of hope—again and again.
Blessings to you this week,
~Amy