Danger Will Robinson – 5 Warning Signs You Should Heed

The warning sign flashed in front of me. I didn’t look both ways. I didn’t hesitate. I just plowed on through and hoped for the best.

Not the best way or the safest way to deal with a warning sign.

Do you ever ignore the warning signs?

Ignoring the Warning Signs

My first year in college came with so many fire alarms that I stopped paying attention.

In my defense, it was a game that guys played at the end of the quarter because my dorm had been built just a few yards from the woods. Pranksters would pull the fire alarm and sprint for the woods.

The first time, I got up and went to see what was happening. We all stood around looking for the smoke or flames or something.

Nothing happened.

By the third time, we all quit looking. Not a safe habit, for certain.

That’s one of the dangers of ignoring the warning signs – we risk our safety and security.

#QuoteoftheDay

Rolling the Wrong Way

The warning cut through the early morning quiet.
I blocked it out.
Even worse, I rolled the wrong way.

Instead of rolling out of bed, I rolled over—and fell back asleep.

Have you ever hit the snooze button? What is your record number of times hitting it?

(Let me know in the comments or by shooting me an email. I might just give away a prize to the  best reply – and I promise it won’t be an alarm clock!)

I had a good reason—or at least, that’s what I told myself. My shoulder was aching, and staying in bed felt like the right choice.

But the truth? I could have eased the pain just by getting up.

Instead, I turned away from where I knew I needed to go, from where I wanted to go, and ended up off track before my day had even started.

And that’s how easily it happens. One excuse. One small turn away. One ignored warning.

5 Warning Signs That Need Attention

Warning signs serve a great purpose. They are the bumper guards of life. They are designed to keep you in your lane – on track, in focus, and moving forward. If you ignore them, you risk veering into the gutter.

Practice giving them attention before it’s too late.

The Little Nudge

“Something is not quite right.”

I had gotten an email that I was being considered for a freelance writing job and it couldn’t have come at a more perfect moment. I replied instantly.

And when the next email came, that little nudge came with it. But I really wanted the job. I really needed the job.

So, I continued in the process. Several hours later, I gave into the nudge – which had become a throbbing pain in the neck.

It was a scam.

Sometimes our wants will scream louder than the little nudge. But the little nudge will be pushing us to get back to our unique design.

Pay attention to those nudges.

If something keeps pulling at your heart, don’t brush it aside. Lean in and listen.

Gut Feelings Need Attention

“I’m not comfortable.”

Years ago, I took a babysitting job because I needed the money. The parents seemed off, but I ignored the feeling and took the job anyway.

By the time night fell, I was terrified. The house felt eerie, the dark seemed even darker because of the location of the house, and I’m pretty sure the dogs were plotting something.

I called a friend to come sit with me. She brought two more friends. We all got out in one piece.

That gut feeling was trying to protect me. I just hadn’t wanted to listen.

Your gut will warn you when you’re about to step into something that doesn’t align with your unique design. If a decision makes you uneasy, pay attention.

LESSON LEARNED: I’m beginning to see that when money is a problem, I’m much more likely to ignore the warning signs. Do you have a trigger as well?

The Instinct That Screams “MOVE!”

Not all warning signs are subtle. Some scream, “RUN!”

Picture it . .. April 2020, Easter night.

We were watching a storm approach on the radar. Something about it felt different. I had already had everyone put on hard-soled shoes. And now I was monitoring three different stations on three devices.

About the time the forecaster muttered, “Uh oh!” I said to my family, “I think we should take cover.”

It was a good call.

I don’t know what else the forecaster may have muttered. Seconds later, a tornado landed directly on our house, and we were cut off.

But that instinct saved our lives.

When it comes to your purpose and calling, there will be moments when your instinct screams at you to act.

Move.
Shift.
DUCK!

Ignoring that instinct could cost you more than you realize.

The Blinking Signs Right in Front of You

Sometimes, the warning signs couldn’t be more obvious.

Remember Penny’s check engine light from The Big Bang Theory?

Sheldon pointed it out. Penny ignored it.
Leonard’s mom pointed it out. Penny ignored it.
The car died.

Sometimes, we treat our unique design the same way.

We ignore:

• The red flags in a business (because we have to fiddle with the figures to make things work).
• The discomfort in our situation (because we need to land this deal).
• The toxic friendship (because we’ve always been friends).
• The physical exhaustion (because we tell ourselves we just have to push through).

When the signs are flashing, don’t just cover them up. Pay attention and let them help you find your way back to where you’re supposed to be.

The Alarm Bells That Scream “DANGER, WILL ROBINSON!”

Some warning signs come with sirens and flashing lights.

You keep getting sick.
Your relationships feel strained and unfamiliar.
The doors you’re forcing open keep slamming shut even when you put your foot in the doorway.

When life is yelling at you to stop, STOP.

When I got pregnant, I got sick.

“Drink more water,” they told me.

So I did. All day, every day, all the time. Nothing BUT water . . . because I WAS SICK.

The term “Morning Sickness” is a LIE!

I got so sick I had to go to the hospital and get fluids and the medical professionals around me would tell me to drink more water so I wouldn’t get dehydrated.

Did I mention I was drinking water? All the time?

It was only many years later that I realized because I was ONLY drinking water, I wasn’t getting the electrolytes that would allow my body to absorb the water. It was the only water that was causing my problem.

But despite my body yelling all sorts of alarms, I didn’t listen. I listened to the medical professionals and the experienced THEYs all around me.

The alarms in you and around you may be specific FOR you. Listen. Heed. And ask questions until you have the answer that fits your design.

Responding to Warning Signs

Warnings happen – signs, instincts, gut feelings, nudges, and alarms – and they are all trying to help us stay on the right path – our unique design.

When you hear and see the warning signs you need to stop, look, and listen because you cross the street.

Stop and pray. Get aligned with the Maker of your design.

Look around – see what you can see so you can better understand.

Listen to others – seek out WISE counsel – not just anyone standing in line next to you in the grocery store.

And then, and only then, you can make a plan to cross the street – to take your next intentional step into your unique design.

What warning signs have you been ignoring?

Drop a comment or DM me—I’d love to hear!

And remember to listen to the Growing Hope with Kathryn Lang podcast by clicking the play button below.

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