A few days ago, I was driving and noticed a message pop up that said, ‘Change Oil Soon.’ I alerted the owner and offered to take it to get an oil change. Upon leaving the service center, I felt a calm that the message was no longer there, and another message confirming the service appeared.
I don’t claim to know much about cars and their inner workings. But I know it is necessary to pay attention to the dashboard and ensure that any issues flagged there are addressed so major problems are avoided.
Similarly, as we go about our lives, we receive signals and indicators about our level of wellness physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, relationally, and spiritually. It’s as if we have been given our own personal dashboard. And we must pay attention to the signs and address the root causes to avoid disaster.
Just as doctors and nurses check our vitals during a visit before performing more detailed checks and prescribing medications, we ought to monitor vitals that indicate the quality of our emotional, mental, and spiritual health.
Here are some vital signs that should be noted:
⁃ resentment and bitterness over hurts done to us
⁃ apathy toward God regarding our sinful behavior
⁃ justification for disrespect of authority
⁃ indifference for lost souls
⁃ disconnection with close family and friends
None of us is immune to these and other signs. The key is not to ignore them but address them.
Addressing most of these issues requires an examination of our heart, not the one that pumps the blood, but the seat of who we are.
Proverbs 4:23 says, ‘Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.’
The psalmist, David, understood the critical importance of this place such that he didn’t even trust his own assessment. He sought God’s examination. Notice his acknowledgment and desire in Psalm 19:12-13:
‘Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.’
If we are going to avoid catastrophic damage and loss, let’s pay attention to the subtle but essential signs and seek help from God and others where needed. This will give us the success, longevity, and quality of life God desires for us. Pay attention to your dashboard!