4 Signs You Might Crash and Burn
I was almost to the turnpike exit when I heard a ding and looked down at the dashboard to discover an unfamiliar red alert signal.
I quickly grabbed my fancy phone and dialed up my favorite mechanic.
I was completely calm as I filled him in on the details. “Baby, this little red light thing-y just popped up on the dashboard. I’m not sure what it means. It looks like a flat platform foundation with a pole sticking up out of it. Almost like a sailboat. The pole has like flags on it — kind of like a comb.”
He fired off questions like an detective interrogating a suspect. “Is the car making any noises? Do you see smoke? Do you hear the fan running? Look at the dashboard. Is it running hot?”
My heart racing, I scanned the dashboard for several minutes before I located a gauge I’d never noticed before. I gasped as I realized my car was apparently about to catch on fire.
“It’s all the way to the H. What should I do?”
“Pull over now!” he ordered.
I spent the remainder of the morning sitting at a gas station waiting for a flat bed truck to come escort my car back home for inspection. Honestly, I was shocked. I was racing down the highway completely oblivious to the war raging under the hood of my car. If it had not been for the warning signal, the car probably would have imploded into a ball of fire with clueless me strapped into the driver’s seat.
Just like the warning lights in the car, the Holy Spirit will often illuminate a specific area of our hearts to help us diagnose problems as we consult the sacred text in our Owner’s Manual.
Lately, I’ve noticed 4 warning lights on the dashboard of my heart:
- My love tank is on empty.
- Instead of humming with the oil of joy, doubt and fear are clogging my mental filters.
- My grace gauge is all out of whack and causing my forgiveness to misfire.
- I am running recklessly low on meekness and self control and emitting fumes of jealousy and pride.
Maybe like me you don’t want to continue recklessly driving on without heeding the warning signals. Let’s pull over to the side of the road together and chat about how to avoid a breakdown.
4 Ways to Avoid a Spiritual Crash and Burn
Stop
We must say goodbye to performance and perfection. Rather than striving to obey rules, let’s set our course on fueling relationship.
For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:19-20, NLT)
Refresh
We must slow down and cool off hot engine hearts. Ingesting a good dose of common sense and wisdom will helps us see the way more clearly.
My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them, for they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace. They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble. (Proverbs 3:21-23l, NLT)
Refill
We must only fill up with Truth. Let’s clean out the pollutants in our system for a more efficient and energetic journey.
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. (Philippians 4:8-9, MSG)
Watch Out
Yield to the Spirit. The warning signals in our heart always indicate when we need routine maintenance.
So watch your step, friends. Make sure there’s no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God. For as long as it’s still God’s Today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn’t slow down your reflexes. (Hebrews 3:12-13, MSG)
Avoid a spiritual crash and burn by regularly tuning up your heart.
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Lyli, as the wife of a man who is in the auto industry,I loved the analogy here! I love when he asks us to imitate the sound our cars are making when they act up 🙂 But you are so right in reminding us to pay attention to the warning signals of our hearts, for they surely do indicate when and where there is a problem. Maintenance is the key. Daily upkeep. Much wisdom in this post.
My friend, you nailed it with that 2 word phrase: “Daily Upkeep.” I am a bit of a hot mess these days, so I need to get back on track with daily rhythms. Thanks for the nudge.
I always love your posts, Lyli. So true to life, always pulling us back to God, refueling and getting refreshed when we’re running on empty. Thanks, friend. I’ve missed being here!
It’s awesome to have you join us here, Betsy. I love the wisdom you share! #IronSharpensIron xo
“Yield to the Spirit. The warning signals in our heart always indicate when we need routine maintenance. ”
Oh my yes! But it’s pretty easy to ignore those signals too because they can come on slowly.
Sorry about your car trouble Lyli, but it makes a great lesson!
I am so not mindful of when I need to make a pit stop, friend. I end up crashing and burning quite often. I’m working on celebrating a Sabbath morning each week, and that is helping some. 🙂
Lyli, I always find your posts to be so practical — and you really got my attention with this one. I’ve got some lights flashing on my “dashboard” and there’s a plan in the works to tend to some long overdue maintenance.
I’m with you, friend. Running ragged this week when I should be pulling over and slowing down. Hugs
Super, great analogies. So glad you are safe.
Thanks, Susan. Me, too. This was not my first fiery foray in a vehicle. I once had a gas tank get a crack in it & start leaking. For that, they called the fire department — as a precaution, not because I actually went up in flames. But it was a wake up call for me on being alert to the sounds & smells in the car.
And sometimes it’s the most common ‘ding’ of all. Simply running low on fuel. Man, I so relate. Great post with excellent illustrations. Now, if we will heed the warnings!
Charla, thanks for your encouragement this week. I am hoping that this little “incident” with my car will serve as a reminder to be more mindful all around. Hope you have a great weekend! xo
I’m laughing at your description of the light thing-y because it’s exactly like mine. Mine have never been that urgent though; I’m glad you were alert enough to pay attention and call about it! Whew. Those warning lights are meant to be taken seriously, whether on our dashboards or in our hearts. Good lesson here, Lyli!
I need to print this one out and hold onto the warning signs and how to avoid a spiritual crash. I loved it. As soon as I am done with my comment, I plan to share it. You have such a fun way of writing.
Your word picture is perfect! I need to look for those “dummy lights” that show me I’m off track. I’ve noticed certain attitudes/actions in my life that are a indicator of what’s going on in my heart. I need to refill, refill, refill. And pausing to do it!! Thanks Lyli!
fueling relationship with my Savior is the main thing – and I end up on the side of the road with a thumb out if I don’t keep it filled up. thanks for hosting, lyli!
A much needed “tune-up” today, friend! Have a blessed weekend!
Yes, we have to yield to the Spirit. I am writing about that for next week. Great point to bring up. Thanks for hosting!
My husband used to be a mechanic by trade so I totally appreciate your post! Praise God you are safe and wiser via your experience! I’m forwarding this post to my husband so that he may be blessed as well! Thank you for sharing and for hosting the link up!
Lyli, I love this analogy! It’s so easy to start coasting in our spiritual life and before long we’re running on empty in all the important areas. Thanks for a great reminder to slow down and check those gauges! Thanks, too, for hosting. Blessings!
Perfect advice for the season I am in. Thanks!
Lyli, you have such a creative mind for turning regular life into relevant list posts. 🙂 I thought I was on your list, but I haven’t been getting posts. Perhaps I need to re-sign up for your new site. Hmm, I guess I need to double-check that because lately if it’s not coming to my inbox, I’m not getting around to reading it. Hope you’re able to get your car fixed–glad you’re okay. ((hug)) (P.s. — you have a fan-girl over at #ChasingCommunity this week! 🙂 )