Mid morning, I received a text from a friend with a link about the Genoa bridge collapsing.  Not being much of a news watcher, I hadn’t any idea what I was looking at, what had been the outcome, or where the bridge was located.

Ignorance is not bliss, despite what we’ve been taught.  

Though things may not affect us directly, it is important we know what is going on in the world around us.  How else do we know what to pray for?

If you are like me, you don’t like to experience grief nor do you want others too.  As I read this article, grief filled my heart. 

Supposedly, there were warning signs of the bridge falling before it collapsed. 

It saddens me, when people suffer due to other’s negligence.

Think about what the headline would have read if officials had paid attention to the warnings. 

My prayers are with the those who have been impacted by this tragic event. 

The Bible says in Proverbs 27:12 (NLT), that a prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

“warning comes before destruction”

Many of us have heard the saying, “Warning comes before destruction,” however, how many of us actually take heed to the warnings?

While this tragedy saddens me, it also compels me to pay closer attention for warning signs in my own life, like the check engine light being on for weeks or, the wobbly legs on my desk (which eventually made a loud thud during our homeschool lesson).

Most often than not, we either ignore warning signs or we’re blinded by them altogether.  

How can we become more aware of warning signs?

1. We must be alert and sober minded (1 Peter 5:8).  In order for us to be alert, we must limit the distractions in our lives.  Distractions cause us to not be fully aware of what is happening around us.  

2. We must be watchful and prayerful (Matthew 26:41) This takes much discipline.  Now that we’ve limited our distractions and are alert, we must carefully watch situations as well as having a consistent prayer life.  As we pray, I believe our course of action to the warning signs become clearer, preventing us from falling prey but victorious. 

Jesus’s life is a great example to follow.  As we read through the Gospels of the Bible, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John we will observe how Jesus would often slip away from the crowd to pray. 

What are some warning signs in your life and what are you going to do about them?

Prayer – God, help us to be alert and sober.  Help us to be watchful and prayerful.  When we see warning signs in our lives, help us to be as a prudent woman and take precautions.  Amen.

In His name,

Chrystal